Tracking A Shadow: A Jarvis Mann Detective Novel

by R Weir

  Listening to his story was difficult. If it was true, it cleared up a lot of the confusion. The case was a mess, and I wasn’t sure where to go with it. I’d been pulled in as well and needed to clean this up. A dog, a pet, a family member had been killed for no good reason.

  “Then what happened?”

  “She told me there was some guy bothering her, following and stalking her. She asked me to come to Boone’s and gave me a description saying to watch for you. I was to approach her and her friend at their table and she’d point him out to me. We would put on a show as if she was mad at me, brushing me off. I’d then leave and if you followed I was supposed to deal with you. When you did, I clocked you with the shovel handle. I wanted to keep pounding on you but some other people came out and saw me, so I ran.”

  “What about Rickie Ward? Did she ask you to pound him too?”

  “I’ve never heard the name before, I swear. Was he involved in this as well?”

  “Somewhat. Someone beat him up and he died a few days later. She had accused him of stalking her.”

  He whistled loudly, his glare now fixed on my. “Hey, I had nothing to do with that. She never mentioned him, only you.”

  I figured not, since he didn’t fit the description Rickie gave.

  “And the barbeque?”

  “That was my own doing. I didn’t realize she was having a party. I stopped by to find out what was going on. I ransacked your place earlier and learned you were a detective by your outside sign. She never mentioned you were a PI, just some guy who was scaring her. I needed to learn what the hell was going on. When you approached, I was genuinely mad. You got the better of me, but I should have walked away.”

  “How did you know where I lived?”

  “She told me, trying to make me jealous, and it worked.”

  “So you never knew who or what I was? Just thought I was some other guy bothering her?”

  “Yes.”

  “And you didn’t know she had hired me to protect her from a stalker.”

  “Your telling me now is the first I heard of it.”

  “The rape game was her doing?”

  “All her idea. I never expected you to be there to stop it. I thought it would be more kinky fun until you walked in with your gun pointed. I’m amazed you didn’t fire when I charged you. I wasn’t sure what else to do, and I panicked.”

  “Well, lucky for you I hesitated. Something seemed off and shooting didn’t feel right at the time. This became more apparent when she came down later that night and seduced me.”

  “Bitch!” he sneered. “Now I’m in this mess and don’t know how to get out of it.”

  “I can assist you on the rape,” I answered. “Though you need to be accountable for the dog. He was a family pet and a little girl’s best friend. Stand up and take responsibility for it. You can’t walk away from it. I will help you with the rest. But you have to turn yourself in.”

  “I don’t know.”

  “You have no choice. If you want my assistance, you turn yourself in now and you may not spend any significant time in jail. Otherwise, I won’t help and you get all of it coming down hard on you: the assault on me, the rape and animal cruelty. The DA loves to come up with as many charges as they can find in the penal code. Most of them will stick and you’ll spend a long time in jail, where I imagine you won’t do well.”

  He looked around again as if to contemplate his next move. Flight appeared to be on his mind, but exhaustion had overcome the thought. It had to be hard to trust anyone right now, as he’d been played this whole time by a woman who gave him the thing many men fantasize about. Trusting a man who a few hours earlier had pointed a gun at him was difficult. But I could feel the defeat in him and the resignation that he must give in. He shook his head in agreement. We stood up and walked back towards the parking lot as I dialed the Denver police to come pick him up, with both eyes on him to make sure he didn’t panic and run away again.

  Chapter 29

  After calling the police, I allowed Jim to use my phone to call his lawyer so they could be there when they hauled him in. It took them ten minutes to arrive with three squad cars rolling in, lights and sirens a-blazing. Once I identified myself and explained the situation they cuffed Jim while reading him his rights. A plainclothes detective arrived and wrote down my statement, as I left out some key details for now. I suspected the one questioning me assumed as much by his demeanor. There wasn’t much he could do but threaten me with arrest for withholding information, which didn’t fly. I’d caught a wanted criminal, so I’d done their job for them. For now, I was free to go. If further questioning was needed, I had to make myself available. The way things were going these days I’d have my own office down at police headquarters with all the testifying I’d be doing. “Where Everyone Knows Your Name” the theme song from Cheers, came to mind. Would they call out “Jarvis” each time I walked into Police Headquarters or at crime scenes? Somehow I doubted this.

  Climbing into the Mustang, I called Emily to let her know Jim was in custody. She sounded only slightly relieved over the phone and even seemed a little annoyed I’d bothered her with the news. Changing the subject, I asked her how the shopping was going and she said fine, but she had to go now as she was busy trying on clothes. Before another word was out of my mouth there was dead air and the call had ended. Apparently buying clothing trumped the apprehension of a suspected rapist.

  The drive back home went fairly quickly for a Saturday afternoon and when I arrived I found Mallard waiting at the railing of my stairwell. He didn’t look angry, but also didn’t appear pleased either, as exhaustion showed on his face. His tie was off, the top button of his shirt open. I nodded to him and he followed me inside. I pulled two beers out of the fridge, offering him one, which he accepted.

  “I thought cops can’t drink on duty?” I asked.

  “I’m off duty,” he answered. “My shift ended about twenty minutes ago.”

  “Long day then?”

  “Most of them are anymore.”

  “This a social call?”

  “More of a friendly chat between two people off the record.”

  “So we’re going to work on that type of relationship now,” I said sarcastically, recalling our previous exchange from a day earlier.

  “I’m taking the first step creating it. A friendly word of warning to you to get it started.”

  “That sounds ominous.”

  He grabbed one of the kitchen chairs and turned it around and sat straddling the back. He took a long sip and wiped his mouth with his handkerchief. His eyes met mine and led me to believe a sermon was coming.

  “Look,” he started. “You seem like an okay guy who got himself into something that could get extremely messy. So I’m here as a cop who isn’t on duty to warn you. You appear to be involved with a powerful man, whose daughter contacted you to track down an alleged stalker. Many in the department believe you are doing his dirty work for him, all in the disguise of being a detective. Though she hired you, you actually work for him, and were the one to beat Rickie Ward to death. Now you stop this man in the act of allegedly raping her, let him escape and track him down again and get him arrested. Do you see where I’m going here?”

  “They think it’s a ruse or a setup that she and I are creating?” I asked, leaning against my kitchen counter.

  “Yes. It all looks fishy to many people. You’d be amazed what men do for a pretty lady.”

  “Quite an elaborate scenario. Why would we concoct something like that?”

  “Not really sure. Again, a woman can manipulate a man to do crazy things for sex.”

  “So they think we’re involved sexually?”

  Mallard took a short sip of his beer this time. “The possibility has crossed their minds. She did go home with you after the attack on the dog, and you stayed with her after the alleged rape.”

  I wasn’t going to comment on the sexual activity of the night before and it would only muddle up things. I wondered
myself if I was being manipulated as well.

  “I have an alibi for Rickie Ward,” I stated. “Many people vouched I was at Emily’s gathering the evening it happened.”

  “Yes, and it was her party,” he answered. “Her people were there. They will lie for her if she tells them to. She is the boss and they do what she commands. The DA is convinced she has them and you wrapped around her finger!”

  “And you?”

  He stopped again and took another long draw on the beer bottle. “I think you better come clean on this whole mess or they are going to put together a case and throw the book at you. The DA is already harping on hauling you in and suspending your license. You’ve got to give us more than what you provided. It’s pretty obvious you are holding out on us and not telling us everything.”

  “I said I’d bring you something by Monday,” I answered. “Still trying to piece together facts. I’m not ready yet to point the finger at anyone.”

  Mallard wiped his mouth again, his eyes staring down and back up at me. “He is bad news, you know? Brandon Sparks is dirty, a clean dirty because we’ve never been able to nail him for anything other than a traffic ticket, but dirty and powerful. We might not be able to touch him, but you will do in the eyes of the DA. And Sparks won’t run his team of lawyers down to save you.”

  I finished my beer and went to get another. I knew what he was saying but wasn’t ready to come completely clean. There were still some unanswered questions I needed answered and I had to talk with Brandon first to fill him in on what knowledge I had. He would be unhappy with what I was going to tell him, but there was little choice.

  “Monday,” I said. “I will come down personally and answer any questions. You’ve got to allow me until then. I don’t have all the answers yet, so you need to give me room. You pull me in now, you’ll get nothing, which does the DA no good.”

  “He won’t save you. If you talk, you’ll end up dead.”

  “It’s all I’ve got. I need more time. Otherwise you get zilch.”

  He took one last draw on the beer and stood up. He tossed the almost-empty into my trash can and headed for the door. He grabbed the knob and turned to survey the room, his eyes again meeting mine.

  “I think you are OK, quite possibly good at what you do,” he said. “That doesn’t get you much with me and there are limits. Monday, or I’ll come bring you in myself. When I cuff someone it hurts like hell.”

  “I understand. Can I ask you something about her statement last night? What did she tell you?”

  He shook his head. “Man, you are a trip. You give me nothing, but want answers from me.”

  “Off the record. It’s important for me to know.”

  He actually laughed, though it wasn’t full of vigor. “OK, off the record. She stated she was home, heard a noise and called you, as she was scared. It was Jim who broke in, came upstairs and tried to rape her. You showed up, prevailed in thwarting him and he got away. Pretty much what you told us as well.”

  “Did she mention she knew him or had met before?”

  “Only he had tried to pick her up at Boone’s a couple of times. Also mentioned he clocked you behind Boone’s with a shovel when you followed him outside. That is all she said. Was there something she left out we should be aware of?”

  I waited a second and then responded. “No, that is pretty much it. Or at least all I know of how they are connected. I think there is more to it, but I haven’t gotten the full story yet.” I lied about that part and I could tell by the look on his face he didn’t believe me.

  “Well you better get it by Monday or we’ll come busting your door down with a warrant,” he said while leaving.

  The warning was loud and clear. This needed to be squared away quickly. It would be delightful to have someone to bounce all my thoughts off of. It was times like this a partner would be helpful. Gee, partner, I slept with my client and I’m in a big mess with the police, who think I’m in cahoots with her and a killer. Yep, you’re screwed, pal! Brain power was required to piece things together. I grabbed a yellow legal pad and pen, and sat down with the rest of my beer. Time to jot down everything as it happened, creating an outline of the events and people involved.

  I started from the beginning to end, with the call from Emily asking for my help to the arrest of Jim. All the major parties, including Mark, Rickie, Brandon and even Melissa. I put every detail down I could recollect, creating a flow chart with the pertinent details. The list of items grew, and I fleshed out as much information as possible. Lines were drawn, notations erased and moved to other sections. I went over it top to bottom until my eyes became heavy and I nodded off on the sofa.

  Several hours passed and I dreamed back and forth between the two women, each trying to win me with their charms and sexuality. I felt like a dog being called to decide between his two masters. Which would I go to, as indecision ruled? I was drawn to them for similar reasons. Each was beautiful, with a good personality and enjoyable to converse with. They were dynamite sexually, keying a strong desire in me, though my experience with Melissa was more thorough since I had been intimate with her several times. Both were pleading with me to join them, and I didn’t know what to do. I awoke in a cold sweat yelling out their names, the sound of the phone ringing startling me as I bolted upright.

  Grabbing the cell I saw it was Emily and answered it.

  “Jarvis, oh I’m glad you’re there,” she said, sounding out of breath. “Mark contacted me earlier and must see me. He says he can’t live without me and wants to get back together. I’m so scared this is going to start again. Can you come over? I’m at my house afraid to go outside.”

  “I thought you were staying at your friend’s tonight?” I asked.

  “She had a date over so I decided to leave them alone,” she answered. “Since you caught Jim I figured it was safe, and then Mark called.”

  I looked at the time and it was nearly 7PM. I wasn’t sure I believed her, but I was a little concerned to leave her alone. If something did happen, guilt would haunt me. It was an opportunity to keep an eye on her. Gathering evidence like a good detective is what I told myself.

  “Sure. I can be there in about ten minutes.”

  I got up, changed my shirt and lathered on some deodorant as I’d soaked it through because of the crazy dream. I packed an overnight bag with a change of clothes, making sure I had my loaded 9MM gun with belt holster. I knocked on the door when I arrived and she let me in, giving me a big hug. She had a forlorn look on her face, showing fear. She seemed genuinely relieved I was there. She took me by the hand and we sat on the sofa. She snuggled up against me with her head on my shoulder, her fingers tracing my thigh. A surge of excitement filled my body, but I tried best to temper it. She smelled of fresh flowers like she had recently put on perfume and hint of alcohol on her breath. I knew this was trouble with a capital T.

  “So Mark called?” I asked. “What specifically did he say?”

  “I told you. The usual, like he can’t live without me and we are meant to be together. He wants to see me and he knows he can convince me to come back to him again. It’s so freaky!” She pushed up even closer to me, her fingers now exploring the inside of my thigh. “I’m glad you’re here. He is so scary. Can you do something about it? Make him go away!”

  “I will call and talk with him. I’m sure I can reason with him to leave you alone.”

  “He can’t be reasoned with,” she snarled. “I want him gone where he can’t bother me again. Out of the picture completely. Won’t you do this for me? I would be so grateful in some pleasurable ways!” She purred out the last two words.

  I was beginning to get a sense of what she wanted and the lengths she’d go to for my action. It appeared I was the new Jim.

  “I’ll assist however I can. I won’t threaten or hurt him. He needs professional help to guide him through this.”

  She looked up at me and seemed a little put off, with a glimmer in her eyes of anger that flashed and then was g
one. Smiling, she turned back into me. “Please put your arm around me! Hold me close.”

  The dog analogy from my dream came to mind as she snuggled even deeper into me. The sexual surge continued, and I knew I couldn’t resist her if we stayed like this. I was hungry and needed to eat. Food would allow me to fend her off, I told myself. On an empty stomach I had no shot.

  “How about some dinner?” I asked. “I’m famished. We can go out somewhere fancy and enjoy ourselves and forget this craziness.”

  “No, I’m too scared to dine out. Can we order delivery pizza? Pepperoni, ham and extra cheese sounds good. I’ll even pay.”

  I wanted to push for eating out, as I’d figured she couldn’t attack me at a restaurant, but knew I’d lose out. “Sure. Where’s your phone?”

  She grabbed her purse pulling out her smartphone and a twenty-dollar bill. “You call them and I’m going to go up and take a bath. I’m yucky from shopping and want to soak in the tub. You can yell when it gets here.”

  She walked away, turning to give me a big smile, wiggling her butt at me. Up the stairs she went; shortly after, there were sounds of water running coming from above. I grabbed her iPhone—and it took me a minute to navigate it since I’d never used one, looked up the number of the local pizza place that I knew delivered, and ordered a large pie with the toppings she requested. I proceeded to search through her call log. The only number I found listed was her calling me. Nothing incoming or outgoing for today. I tracked down her home cordless and it revealed no calls as well. Nothing showed Mark or anyone else had called. Her house was older, and I could hear her moving around upstairs and finally closing the bathroom door and the water turning off. I searched her purse, and lo and behold there was a second cell phone. It was a cheap pay-as-you-go model you could get anywhere, a burner phone most would call it. I checked the log and found one call today on it, plus several more over the last few weeks. I grabbed a piece of paper and pen, and wrote down each number, date and time listed. Who had she been calling on this throwaway device?