Partners in Crime

by Alicia Scott

  Now running late, Olivia had barely made it to the Chamber of Commerce luncheon in time to speak. She’d finished there at one and driven straight to the women’s shelter, where she’d spent an hour playing with the children and talking to the mothers. According to Denise Eagan, head of the shelter, Olivia tried to spend at least an hour a week at the shelter. They had been talking about the possibility of opening a second to get more beds. Olivia had promised to speak to the city council about funding.

  At three o’clock Olivia had returned to her office. She’d spent two hours on the phone. Her administrative assistant didn’t have information on all the calls, but according to the phone records most of them were to various businesses and local charities. She’d made one call to her home, where her daughter, Eve, and five-year-old granddaughter, Molly, were visiting for Hal’s wedding.

  Olivia had rushed out of the office promptly at five-thirty, changed into a pale lavender suit, and made it to the Squaw Creek Lodge just in time for the wedding rehearsal. Afterward, the wedding party had gone out for dinner. Olivia had toasted her son and his intended bride, Randi Howell. Eve said Olivia had looked tired from her day, but otherwise her mother had been as calm and composed as ever. She’d told jokes, she’d mingled with Randi’s family.

  Eve hadn’t noticed anything unusual.

  They’d retired right after dinner. Everyone wanted to get a good night’s sleep before the big day. Friday morning Olivia had gotten up early with Eve and Molly. Olivia and Molly had just finished eating cereal when Eve came downstairs. They’d talked some, about nothing in particular. Olivia had said how nice it was to have Eve at home again. She’d thought Molly was growing up fast and beautiful. Eve could tell her mother was wondering if Eve would ever tell Rio Redtree that Molly was his daughter, but on Friday June 6, Olivia kept those opinions to herself.

  She and Eve had wrapped wedding presents, cleaned the house in preparation for guests and then they’d gotten ready to go. At the last minute, still searching for her other earring, Olivia had told Eve to take Molly and go ahead. She’d be there shortly. The storm was already moving in at that point. The rain and wind had picked up. They’d both remarked how unfortunate it was that the weather couldn’t be better for the wedding.

  Eve had bundled up Molly and the two of them had left.

  Eve never saw Olivia alive again.

  Jack went over it and over it. He was beginning to dream about Olivia Stuart’s life at night. He still couldn’t figure out what they were missing.

  For all intents and purposes, Olivia Stuart had been an active mayor and caring mother. Her calendar and meetings showed nothing out of the ordinary. She was definitely concerned about Grand Springs’s growing drug problem and crime rate. Her schedule for the next week had two meetings with community watch groups and one with the chief of police. Olivia’s assistant confirmed that Olivia had wanted Grand Springs to get tougher about crime, but she hadn’t had any run-ins with any particular criminal group.

  The only other big issue was strip mining. The outlying areas of Grand Springs sat on top of what once had been very lucrative mines. Now mined out, they were just hollow tunnels forming catacombs beneath the mountain and potential safety hazards. The local kids hung out there—Jack spent most of his youth learning which mines could be explored and which ones should be left alone. Recently, one of the big mining companies had approached Grand Springs about the possibility of renewing the old mining leases so as to harvest the remaining minerals and ore in the top soil through strip mining.

  If permitted, the project would generate hundreds of jobs for Grand Springs and boost the economy. As Olivia passionately argued, however, it would also tax the city’s mountain roads and lead to such possible consequences as top soil erosion, mud slides, contaminated rivers and air pollution.

  Olivia had said no. Her stance was firm and there were definitely businesspeople who disagreed with her. But would any of them resort to murder?

  Jack didn’t think so.

  The more he looked at Olivia Stuart’s life, the more he thought the answers had nothing to do with her position as mayor. Olivia Stuart was a cautious woman. Eve reported that the house was kept locked at all times, even when Olivia was home. The mayor had attended a number of self-defense classes and insisted the security guard at City Hall walk all female employees to their cars after dark.

  Yet there was no sign of forced entrance into her home nor any indication of a struggle. The back door had been unlocked when Josie Reynolds had arrived.

  A lone woman didn’t just open her door for anyone on a stormy afternoon. And the use of poison…

  Jack kept coming back to the same inevitable conclusion: Olivia Stuart had been killed by someone she knew. Someone she trusted.

  And it bothered Jack that he couldn’t learn more about Olivia’s private life. Eve was as vague as Hal. She’d been away from home for five years. She spoke to Olivia by phone, of course, but she couldn’t remember Olivia ever talking about anyone new or special. Olivia hadn’t seemed to have any problems with her friends or associates. As for romantic interests, Eve agreed with her brother—Olivia didn’t date.

  Their father had died in an accident when Eve was only a toddler and Hal ten. They’d had an older brother, Roy, but he’d run away and never been heard from again. As Eve told Jack proudly, Olivia had decided it was time to get control of her life and take a stand. She’d thrown herself into supporting Hal and Eve, going back to school, becoming a lawyer and eventually running for mayor. She’d become a single mother and a career woman at a time when those things just weren’t done, and she’d been good at it. If Olivia had made enemies, she kept them as secret as the rest of the details of her life.

  The only lead Jack had left was Josie Reynolds. She’d been close to Olivia. She matched the vague description of the woman Jessie had seen in her visions. She could be called Jo.

  At 9:00 p.m. Thursday, Jack told himself he was just taking a small detour when he went by Josie’s house. All the windows were dark. He didn’t bother to lie to himself when he turned around and headed for City Hall.

  The light was on up in her office. He sat in his car for a minute, simply staring at the single lit window. Everyone agreed on two things about Josie Reynolds—she looked like an angel and worked like the Energizer bunny.

  Conscientious public servant?

  Ambitious treasurer, now angling for the empty position of mayor?

  Marjorie certainly would’ve plotted on becoming mayor.

  The thought came out of nowhere and unsettled Jack. He was an honest enough man that he didn’t want to think he was placing Marjorie’s crimes on Josie’s doorstep. On the other hand, maybe the instinct was sound.

  Or maybe you’re not as objective as you think when it comes to Josie Reynolds.

  Jack got out of his car, took a deep breath and prepared for round two.

  * * *

  Josie was so deeply engrossed in her work, she didn’t hear the sound of footsteps ringing in the empty hall. The knock on her door got her attention. She bolted up and smeared a line of red ink across the report she’d been editing.

  “Damn.” She stared at her door mutinously. It was after nine o’clock. What did a girl have to do to get some peace and quiet around here? Then she got nervous. Exactly who would be knocking on the town treasurer’s door at this hour?

  “Mr. Stevens?” she called out, referring to the aging security guard who’d started work last month. She’d never seen him stand, much less walk, but maybe his hemorrhoids had flared up or something.

  “It’s Detective Stryker.”

  “Oh,” she said, then with more feeling, “damn.”

  She eyed the door warily—why did some part of her perk up at the sound of his voice?—then grudgingly threw open the door. She didn’t look her best and she knew it. It was after hours, she’d had a long day, and a woman could handle only so much. She’d taken off her navy blue double-breasted jacket at five, her heels quickl
y following. When the last person had left at eight-thirty, she’d pulled out her white blouse from her skirt, unfastened the cuffs and high collar and pulled the hairpins from her hair. Now at approximately 9:35 p.m., she was a mussed, wrinkled mess and she refused to feel bad about it.

  Of course, Jack Stryker leaned against the doorjamb without a short-cropped hair out of place. His charcoal gray pants were pressed razor-sharp and did his tall, trim figure justice. He wore an appropriately conservative yet elegant dark burgundy-and-gray swirled tie.

  Oh for crying out loud her mouth had gone dry. Since when did Josie Reynolds get hot and bothered by clothing?

  “Can I come in?” Jack asked.

  She pursed her lips. “I haven’t decided.”

  “I have a badge.”

  “Why do you think I can’t decide?” She crossed her arms over her silk blouse. That made the unbuttoned collar gape, revealing a weakness for expensive French lingerie no accountant should have. She dropped her hands quickly to her side, but it was too late. Jack’s gaze was definitely no longer on her face, and his cheeks appeared to have gained some color. “Don’t you have some teenage delinquents to torture?” she demanded with a scowl.

  “I’m a homicide detective. I only get to deal with gang members who have close encounters with assault weapons.”

  “Well, I’m a treasurer. I only get to deal with credits and debits, so go away and let me get my job done.”

  “Tough day at the office?” He arched a brow.

  “Yes,” she fired back. Her hands had come up on her hips. She said with genuine regret, “My plants died.”

  “Your plants died?”

  “The two vines over on the gray filing cabinet?” He still looked blank. She shook her head. “Why am I bothering with this conversation? You’re a man. Men never notice anything, not even homicide detectives.”

  “Wait a second.” Now she’d gotten his goat. It occurred to her that she’d been trying to all along. All women needed a form of entertainment. “I remember those two plants,” Jack said with a frown, “They were already dead.”

  “No. They were in critical condition. But with the right amount of water, sunlight and care, they would’ve sprung back. Of course, they’re trapped in a dimly lit office with a woman who’s trying to repair flood damage. Have you ever noticed that the more you talk about floods, the harder it is to even drink a glass of water? I find myself staring at it like it’s the enemy, just waiting for my guard to drop.”

  “You have been working too hard,” Jack said seriously.

  “Absolutely. So go away, I don’t need any more interruptions in my day.”

  “I can’t.”

  “Yes, you can. You just turn around, walk down the hall and nod at Stevens as you exit the building. You strike me as a former Boy Scout—”

  “Eagle Scout.”

  “Eagle Scout? Of course.” Now her tone was dry. She waved her fingers at him. “So you ought to be able to find your way just about anywhere without getting lost. Toodle-oo.”

  She reached for her office door, he blocked her move with his arm. Damn. Her belly had gone tight, she felt almost giddy. Oh, they were dueling all right, but behind the words lurked a more dangerous game. The temperature of the room had definitely racheted up a few degrees.

  “I need to talk to you.” Jack stated.

  “Detective, no offense, but I’m working way too many hours to put up with you, as well. It’s almost ten o’clock. I still have to finish this report. I haven’t even eaten lunch. If my stomach growls any louder, you could arrest me for disturbing the peace. Please, go away. Make an appointment if you have to come back. Better yet, make dinner reservations.”

  “All right.”

  “What?”

  “You haven’t eaten, I haven’t eaten. I am going to ask you questions. Now, I can stand in your doorway for the event, or, if you’d like, we could go get a bite to eat.”

  “I…I…” Josie stared down at her wrinkled silk blouse and creased navy blue skirt. Her bare feet, with their red-painted toenails, stared back at her. She’d forgotten about her toenails. Her whole body abruptly flushed with mortification. She was too exposed. “Tomorrow night,” she said weakly. “I’m…I’m not dressed for it now.”

  “Tomorrow night’s the fund-raiser. I thought you were going.” He added dryly, “I have four tickets.”

  Now her cheeks were definitely hot red. “I’m not dressed to go out now.”

  “We’ll go someplace casual.”

  “No. No, really, I’m not hungry anymore.” Her stomach growled loudly and endlessly. She stared at the ceiling and pretended the noise had come from the vents. Jack, of course, was amused. The smug son of a…

  “You don’t have to order anything,” he said with feigned innocence. “You can watch the glasses of water in case they’re planning a fresh attack.”

  “That’s not funny.”

  “Josie, I’ve had a long week as well. Now, come with me or I’ll throw you over my shoulder and personally carry you to the restaurant.”

  “Police brutality!”

  “Necessary use of force. Want to grab your purse now? My stomach’s about to growl, too.”

  She scowled harder. She didn’t trust Jack Stryker. Most of the time she was pretty sure she didn’t like him. Worse, she was even more certain that she liked him too much. There was a good reason they had been avoiding each other for two years. And now?

  “I’m buying my own dinner,” she said stiffly. “I don’t accept free meals from cops—there are too many strings attached.”

  “Fine. Don’t you think you should put on your shoes, as well?”

  “Oh.” She fought back another blush and recovered her heels from beneath her desk with as much dignity as possible.

  * * *

  Jack took her to a corner diner, the kind of place frequented by cops and people working night shifts. The pink Formica tabletops were sticky, and the red vinyl booths patched with gray duct tape. A gum-cracking waitress tossed laminated menus at them, poured two cups of thick coffee without asking and walked away.

  Josie stared after her with open admiration. “Now, that’s attitude.”

  “Wait till she returns to take our order. You’ll discover the menus are just for show. They serve whatever the cook feels like making that particular evening.”

  “I see. Come here often?”

  “Often enough. The coffee is strong and the food good.” He set down his menu and folded his hands on the edge of the table, looking at her intently.

  She returned his gaze inch for inch, her chin stubbornly in the air.

  Jack, however, didn’t speak right away. Instead, his eyes took on the dim stare of a man whose mind was already a million miles away. Was he thinking about the case? Or maybe this evil ex-wife she’d heard rumors about. Mary…Margaret…Marjorie. The evil Marjorie.

  She scrutinized him, trying to get some insight into his cool, controlled expression. The lights in the diner were harsh and far from kind. This close, she could see the fresh lines around his eyes and the pall of sleepless nights tingeing his skin. He was ragged around the edges, as if life was beating him up a bit. She knew that feeling.

  “You don’t have any leads, do you,” she asked bluntly.

  He didn’t bother to pretend. “Just you.”

  “Me?”

  “We know it’s a woman with blond hair and the nickname Jo. How many people call you Jo, Josie?”

  “That’s…that’s ridiculous!” she exclaimed, but she was shaken. They were looking for a blond woman named Jo? She hadn’t known that. Suddenly, she didn’t feel so well. “No one calls me Jo,” she tried to protest. She was lying. Her father had called her Jo. When she’d been really young and her hair cut short, he would dress her up as his son Joe, depending on the scam they were running.

  “Everyone has a nickname.”

  “How do you know it’s a woman?”

  “I’m not at liberty to discuss that.”
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  “Oh, well, I beg your pardon! You’re at liberty to accuse me, but not tell me why. Must be great to be a cop!” There was too much anger in that last sentence and they both knew it.

  “You seem to have a thing against the police, Josie. Why is that?”

  “I’m head of the Save-the-Doughnuts Foundation,” she said flippantly. “Can’t you people see the damage you’re inflicting on pastries everywhere?”

  “Cute. Want to try again?”

  “No, I don’t. I’m not ‘at liberty to say.’ Now, are you going to feed me, or was that just a ruse to get me in heels before you cut me down to size?”

  “We can order.” His tone was controlled and dispassionate. She sat across from him and silently contemplated his death. It hurt her that he could be so distant. It hurt her that he was the quintessential cop when a part of her had wanted him to be something more. Someone worthy of the secret tingles he sometimes sent up her spine. Well, she was stupid.

  The waitress arrived. As Jack had predicted, most items on the menu were currently unavailable. However, they could order turkey with trimmings or roast beef. They both ordered the turkey.

  Josie got milk and sugar for her coffee and doctored it up. Even then, the first sip made her eyes pop open. “Wah! That could put hair on your chest.”

  “Brewed all day for that special punch.”

  “Yes, indigestion.”

  They lapsed into awkward silence.

  “So you’re going to the fund-raiser tomorrow night?” Jack asked at last.

  “Yes. And you?”

  “Definitely. Stone and Jessica are coming, as well.”

  “What are you doing with the fourth ticket?”

  “My dad.”

  “Ben?” She brightened. “You have a wonderful father, Jack. He works so hard! Did you know he’s helped rewire some of the farms and businesses? He’s such a generous man.”

  “He mentioned that he was helping out,” Jack said neutrally. Mention of his father had definitely put a spark in Josie’s eyes. Something tightened his gut. It was suspiciously close to jealousy.