The 13th Hour: A Marston Thriller (The Marston Series Book 4)

by Brigitta Moon

  “Do you think he is watching the house? Watching me? My wife?” Mayor Harden asked.

  “What makes you believe he is out there?” asked Romero.

  “He knows you’re here.”

  Romero went to stand next to the Mayor at the window. “Here’s the problem with that; if he is working alone as you say, who is guarding your niece?”

  Mayor Harden reached out for the frame of the window to steady himself. “No, please, don’t tell me he has left her alone and tied up, probably in some rat infested abandoned building.”

  Copeland walked over to the window and peered out. “He’s probably not working alone. He can’t watch your home, keep tabs on you, and keep Gina under control all by himself.”

  Billy stood next to Copeland. “I agree with Cope. He has to have an accomplice.” His gaze slipped toward the mayor. “The three of us are here as you requested. We are ready to go to work to find your niece, but we need you to tell us all that you can.”

  “I probably overreacted demanding the three of you to come over.” Looking at Romero, he said, “I know you need to smooth things over with your fiancé.” To Billy he said, “You’ve probably got something that needs tending to at the station or in your personal life like Romero.” He placed a hand on Romero’s shoulder. “I think Copeland can handle this for now, and then she can bring you guys up to speed.”

  “Sounds like a plan to me,” said Romero, his voice weightless with relief.

  “Me too,” agreed Billy.

  Romero and Billy wasted not a second of time getting to the front door.

  Thank you for agreeing to stay and take this on,” Mayor Harden said to Copeland.

  “Not a problem, Mayor. We should sit down and plot out all of the facts.” Copeland went to the couch table, opened her purse and began rummaging around for a pen and her note pad.

  Mayor Harden was making his way over to the couch. “Iris, I know you’re the right person for this job being a woman and all.”

  Copeland paused. “A woman? Is that your reason for asking me to stay?” She squared her shoulders and glared at the mayor. “First off, Mayor Harden, it’s Detective Copeland, not Iris. Second, if you’re looking for a woman, there is one right here in your fancy home.” She whipped her arm around the room for emphasis, “probably in the kitchen putting together a meal for you. Or you can walk a couple blocks the next time you visit the station. There are plenty of women there. You can rent them by the minute.”

  Copeland snapped her purse closed, swung it over her shoulder.

  “Wait!” Mayor Harden said trying to hide the tremble of fear in his voice and grabbing Copeland by the arm. Her eyes drifted down to the mayor’s hand gripping her arm, then up to his eyes.

  “Unless you want to spend some time in a cell, I suggest you get your hand off me.”

  He looked at his hand as if he had no idea it was touching her, as if it was not a part of him. “I’m sorry,” he said removing his hand. “Please. Don’t leave, Detective Copeland.”

  He took a step back. “You are an excellent detective and an asset to the department. I need your help...” He closed his eyes and bowed his head. “to find my da—"

  Chapter 31

  Antennae went up as Copeland listened to Mayor Harden’s apology and his pause. “Mayor Harden,” Copeland began, “every scrap of information helps, no matter how small.” She slipped her purse off and laid it on the couch. She sat down.

  Mayor Harden sat on the edge of the matching arm chair facing the couch. He ran his hands through his hair and down his face. The pallor had returned to his skin.

  “Can I get you some water? You look ashen.”

  “I’m okay. This is taking a toll on me and my wife. First the shootout on Park Heights like they are in a movie from the Wild West and then the arrest of the little league coach.”

  “A lot has developed over a short span of time,” Copeland said.

  “And now the people are rioting on the streets. All because of this spic and span coach.”

  Copeland saw an inroad to get at the truth. “Any idea as to why this man was denied bail? He has nothing on his record. He seems to be a good guy.”

  Shaking his index finger up and down as if scolding Copeland he said, “Things aren’t always as they appear.”

  “So, are you saying you know something about this situation?”

  Mayor Harden stood up and paced. “My wife wanted you from the beginning. She says men see the cup as half full or half empty; women see the whole thing. They think in abstract terms and concrete, adding a bit of their heart into the equation. In this case two plus two does not equal four. It equals an unknown. Do you understand?”

  “Sounds like a riddle you want me to solve, sir. We don’t have time for this. Unless you want to open your door and be greeted by one of Gina’s body parts, I suggest we get working.” Copeland’s gaze swept the extravagant room. “Does your wife know anything?”

  “There’s a small problem here. You follow me?”

  “Not at all. And no problem is ever small when it involves a cop or a crook.” Copeland hesitated with her next question. “Why are you acting as if you’ve been making too many trips to the liquor cabinet?”

  The man was beginning to get up under her skin. He was pissing her off. She stood up, went to the window to admire the view of the water and get a short reprieve before going back into that dead-end alley with the mayor.

  “Look, sir, let me lay this out for you. You’re on the clock.” She held up her wrist and tapped her watch. “Your forty-eight hours is ticking down. Actually, now you have forty-seven hours before Gina starts showing up at your door a piece at a time.”

  The mayor stopped pacing. “He won’t do it.”

  Copeland glared at the mayor. “He won’t do it? Have you lost your mind? You’re willing to risk your niece’s life on a hunch?”

  “It’s not a hunch. He wants something from me. I’m working on it, but I need more time.”

  “You don’t have the luxury of time. In forty-seven hours you will have blood on your hands. It will be all over the news. I’m sure Mr. Pool would love to scoop your blood up in a story.”

  Mayor Harden went back to the picture window, his back to Copeland, rested his shoe on the window seat and his elbow on his knee. “Maybe I have this all wrong. Maybe a man should handle this after all.”

  Copeland picked up her purse and threw the straps over her shoulder. “We are not male detectives or female detectives. We are detectives, sir. And by the way, maybe the city would be better off if we had a woman as mayor.”

  Copeland turned to the sound of clapping palms. “Bravo, bravo, well said, Detective.” Renee, the mayor’s wife ambled into the room, her heels clicking on the Spanish tiles at the entryway and then muffled steps as she ambled onto the plush carpet. She was dressed in a powerful pant suit. Her brown hair was swept away from her face showing off the sharp angles of her jaw and cheek bones and the artfully applied makeup.

  “Did I forget an appointment?” asked the mayor.

  No, Gerald, you just stay there in the window thinking women wear blinders. Detective Copeland and I are going to chat over tea.”

  Copeland smiled. “Call me Iris.”

  The mayor’s wife returned the smile. “And please, call me Renee.” She led the way to the kitchen where she would brew the tea and talk.

  Pulling his phone from his pocket, Mayor Harden dialed Romero. He listened to the rings. Voicemail answered. He swore under his breath. He could hear the ladies laughing. Laughing at him, he thought. Let them laugh. He would figure out how to deliver the ransom and get Gina back; all on his own.

  Part VII

  Chapter 32

  The ringing phone gave Romero pause. Things were not going his way. He needed to see his fiancé. First there was the early morning call on Sunday. Although, the call closed a case, it didn’t change the fact that it was Sunday, a day to kick back and relax, have a beer, watch the game. Next there
was the shoot-out. If he had not run out of toothpicks, they would not have stopped. Now the mayor wanted help finding his niece. He took the phone from his pocket and read the number. The mayor. He slipped the phone back in his pocket. The mayor had Copeland. He needed to see Linsey.

  Romero rang the bell, knocked on the door, and waited to see what reception he would receive from his fiancé.

  The door opened. Linsey stood on the other side in her robe, her hand resting on the knob, eyes pinned on Romero’s. “Do I know you?”

  Romero half smiled. Maybe she wasn’t upset with him. He had not been off the grid too long. “I believe you do.” He held out a box of chocolates. “Forgive me?”

  “Maybe.” She opened the door wider. “First you have some explaining to do.”

  “Can I get a kiss from my favorite girl first?” He puckered his lips.”

  “Nope. First, we need to talk.” She began walking away from the door toward the bedroom. “And don’t get any ideas. I need to prepare for tomorrow. It’s a big day for me. I have to select the perfect dress.”

  “Linsey, honey, you look perfect in everything you wear,” he said following her. “How about we catch up on our couple’s time and then we can look at clothes and talk.”

  Linsey disappeared into her walk-in closet. Romero hung outside. He fished around for a toothpick inside his pocket, pulled it out and slipped it between his teeth, chewed on it. Linsey’s voice traveled from the closet to the bedroom.

  “How about you tell me what is going on between you and your partner.”

  Romero’s toothpick paused. Linsey appeared at the doorway in a thong and bra, a pair of black heels, and an outfit draped over her arm.

  “My partner? Which one?” He spread his hands. “Linsey, what are you talking about?”

  “YouTube, that’s what I’m talking about.” She tossed the clothes on the bed, turned to Romero. “Did you think I wouldn’t see it?”

  “See what?” Romero’s face tightened. “You’ve lost me.”

  Linsey picked up the red knit dress, unzipped it, and stepped into it. “That’s what has me worried. Have I lost you?”

  “Riddles. You know I don’t like riddles. Just tell me.”

  Shimmying into the dress Linsey said, “Detective Copeland. Is there something going on—”

  “For God’s sake, Linsey, don’t say it. Don’t even think it.”

  She turned her back on Romero. “Zip me, please.”

  “After that bombshell, is that all you have to say is zip me?” He quickly slid the zipper up.

  Linsey turned to face him, smoothing out her dress. “What do you think? Do I look okay for a speech at the convention center in front of a bunch of medical big wigs?”

  Romero’s mouth was hanging open. “Wait, wait, you drop a load of crap on me and you want me to concentrate on your dress?”

  She held the dress by the hem and did a 360 turn. “Multitask. Are you cheating on me with your partner?”

  “No, Linsey. How can you even ask me—"

  “How does my outfit look?”

  Romero took a breath. He looked Linsey up and down. The red dress was nice on her. It wasn’t all business, but it also was not too provocative. He looked at her black heels and then his gaze slid up her legs. The dress stopped an inch above her knees.

  “Not too shabby, huh,” she remarked noting the lust in his eyes.

  “Um, you look—”

  “Your partner; what’s going on between the two of you.”

  “Linsey, please, let me get in a word.”

  “You had plenty of time to come over here and get in a word, but you didn’t. Where were you? With your partner?”

  Romero smiled. “You’re jealous. It looks good with your medical big wig speaking outfit. Not to mention how it has pumped up my ego.” He went to Linsey and wrapped her in a hug.

  “I’m upset with you.” She tried to wiggle out of his grasp.

  “You know there is only one woman for me. Only you.” He kissed her full on the lips.

  Linsey wrapped her arms around Romero’s neck. When their lips parted, she whispered, “I am the only woman for you; and don’t forget it.”

  Romero peered down at Linsey looking into her eyes. He whispered, “Did I look good on YouTube? Muscular and detective Like?” He crunched his right arm showing off his bulging bicep.

  Linsey playfully punched his muscle with her small fist. Then she showed him her muscle. He pinched her upper arm between his fingers and thumb and said, “I think you need more gym time; maybe some bench work.”

  “I think you like me just the way I am, petite and—"

  Romero put his index finger to her lips. “Shh, do you think we can get rid of this speaking outfit and get to know each other’s muscles?”

  Linsey started unbuttoning his shirt beginning at his chest. “I have missed you.”

  Romero’s phone rang and buzzed from his pocket. “No, not now,” he growled.

  “Let it ring,” Linsey said. “Say you left it in the car or it was run over by a truck.”

  “I can’t,” Romero said taking the phone out of his pocket. It rang and buzzed again as he peered at the screen. “It’s Billy, he told Linsey moving out of her grasp. “Kid, what’s up?”

  He listened. Linsey watched him, hoping the call was nothing.

  “Are you sure, Kid? There’s no reason for the mayor to approve something like that.” He listened. “Uh-huh.” Listening. “You have got to be kidding me. There is no way in—”

  Linsey was pleading with her eyes.

  Romero hunched his shoulders and cocked his head. To her, he mouthed, “I’m sorry.” To Billy, he said, “I’m on my way.” He ended the call, slipped the phone back into his pocket.

  “You have to go?” Linsey said with her head drooping.

  Romero ran his hand down her blonde hair. “I’m sorry. I promise I’ll make it up to you.” He pecked her on the lips. “This thing with the mayor isn’t adding up.”

  Chapter 33

  Evening was creeping in slowly as Romero drove down Interstate eighty-three toward the precinct. The more he thought about the conversation with Billy, the harder his foot mashed the gas. In front of him was a slow moving, white Chevy sedan. He yelled out a few expletives. The Chevy kept its pace. Romero leaned on his horn. The Chevy didn’t move or speed up. He turned on his revolving red and blue lights, engaged the siren. The Chevy moved over to the right lane and then the shoulder. Romero blew past without a glance at the driver. He turned off the siren; kept the lights flashing. Traffic parted as if he was royalty coming down the aisle.

  He took the downtown exit, pointed the car in the direction of the parking lot. His wheels squealed as he took the turn onto the lot on two wheels. He was parked and out of the car in a flash, slamming the door shut. The sun was low in the western sky. Romero ran times in his head trying to calculate when he and Billy could hit the streets. He took the short flight of steps two at a time. At the top, he heaved open the door and strolled in.

  Becky looked up as soon as she heard the door close. She grinned at Romero. “No time with the fiancé? Becky hears the mayor has been keeping you busy.” She reached inside her desk drawer and pulled out a plastic container of celery sticks. “Hey, Becky guesses you got the news already.” She held out the container to Romero. “Here, take one, maybe a few. You’re going to need the nourishment.”

  Romero looked at Becky sideways. “I don’t want any celery. Where are the doughnuts?”

  “You’re out of luck. Becky is on a diet.”

  Romero’s jaw fell to his chest.

  “Close your mouth. Becky doesn’t need to see what you have growing in there.” She chuckled, her boobs bounced and her stomach jiggled. “Becky has something you want, Romeo.”

  “Jeez, Becky,” he spread his hands, hunched his shoulders, “You know I’m getting married.”

  “And you know Becky is taken. Just ask Billy. He’ll tell you.”

  “Take
n? Becky, what are you talking about?”

  Becky reached into her drawer again. “Never you mind. Becky is going to let all that negativity slide. Here.” She held out a packet of toothpicks to Romero.

  Romero could not take his eyes off of the pack of tiny, wooden sticks. “Why, why would you—”

  Becky shoved the packet at Romero. “Go on, take it. From what Becky’s been hearing, you’re going to need them, and Becky didn’t want you to run out.” Becky slid her drawer open. “Look, Becky has plenty.”

  Romero took a peek inside. “Jeez, Becky, do you own stock in one of the toothpick companies?”

  “Very funny. You can thank Becky later.”

  Romero held his hand out. Becky dropped the packet in his palm. To Romero it felt as if gold had just been deposited into his account. “Thank you.”

  “Go on,” Becky said shooing Romero, “Becky has work to do, and Billy is waiting on you.”

  Romero threw up his hand in a wave as he walked away toward the elevator. “Thank you, Becky, you’re the best.”

  Impatience was pushing Romero forward. He needed a sidebar with Billy yesterday. As soon as the elevator doors begin to glide open, Romero was already squeezing through, ready to beat a path to the office. When he arrived, the door was open. Billy was standing in front of the chalk board connecting lines.

  “Okay, I’m here, Kid. Whatcha got. Give it to me straight.”

  Billy drew another line, dropped the chalk on the holder under the board, turned to Romero with a smirk of pride and a glimmer in his eyes.

  “I’ve been connecting the dots of the city’s unrest.”

  Chapter 34

  Romero clamped his palm on Billy’s shoulder. “Look, Kid, we are supposed to be working on this thing with the mayor. So far, he has been a dead end where help is concerned. So, we have to work double, no, triple time to find this chick. The city’s unrest can wait.”

  Billy turned to Romero, clamped a palm on his shoulder, and smiled. “I have to one up you on this one, Poppa. I got some new intel from SUDS.”