Killer Career

by Mandel, Morgan

  The woman looked unconvinced. Julie could think of nothing more to comfort her, so she resorted to prayer.

  Please God, don’t let Jimbo die. It would kill Sarah.

  Such a rotten thing shouldn’t happen to such a dear old lady. Sarah had enough trouble coping.

  The woman’s lips also moved in silent prayer. At this point, it was all they could do.

  She kept her eyes glued to the door, hoping that Dade or the vet would reappear, but the door remained obstinately shut. It was hell not knowing what went on.

  About an hour later, Dade reemerged, his jaws clenched, his denim shirt dotted with crimson. He carried a plastic bag, which clanked when he moved. Julie looked away from the sight. She wanted no reminders of the instrument of torture.

  A man in a red-streaked white coat followed him into the waiting room.

  “Sarah,” the vet said, coming up to the old woman and patting her on the shoulder.

  The old woman’s eyes widened with fright. “Is Jimbo--?”

  The vet smiled grimly. “Despite that monstrous trap, I believe your boy’s going to make it. He’s lost a lot of blood, but he’s a fighter. It’s a mighty good thing you got him in when you did. Another half hour longer and things might have been different for the poor scrapper.”

  Julie glanced sideways at Dade. He had to be thinking the same thing as she. It would have been easy for her to ignore the doorbell. Thank God she hadn’t.

  “Your little buddy won’t run as fast as he used to. The trap fractured his left rear tibia. `We’re fortunate it was a clean break.”

  “Will he be in much pain? I can’t bear to have my Jimbo suffer, no matter how much I want him to be with me.”

  “Don’t worry. We’ve got medication to dull the pain until the worst is over. Once the fracture heals, he should feel almost like new, though he may limp a bit. You’ll need to leave him here for a while, so he can get proper care. We’ll keep an eye on him.”

  “I appreciate everything you’re doing, Dr. Curtis. May I see him for a minute before I leave?”

  “Sure, have a look. It might make you feel better. He’ll be sleeping because of the sedation so don’t be alarmed.”

  The vet led Sarah through the swinging door, leaving Julie and Dade alone in the waiting room.

  Julie shook her head. “Jimbo’s always running around in that yard. That trap must have just been set or he would have gotten caught sooner. I’d like to get my hands on the coward who did this.”

  “We’re calling the police. I’ve got the evidence in this bag. I don’t like the idea of a nut hanging around your neighborhood.”

  “I don’t either, but first, let’s get Sarah home and comfortable. The poor woman’s been through hell.”

  * * *

  “It seems so quiet here without Jimbo,” Sarah said, as the three of them stepped into her kitchen.

  “It won’t be long. He’ll be home before you know it,” Julie said. “Sit down and I’ll make you some tea.”

  She glanced around Sarah’s kitchen. Now where were the tea bags?

  Sarah gave her a smile and held up her chin. “Julie, you’re a nice young lady, but I can fend for myself. I’ll make us all tea.”

  She marched up to the counter and pulled out tea bags, cups, lemon, cream and sugar. Keeping busy might be good therapy for her.

  When Julie took a sip of the hot tea, she almost purred with delight. The brew was soothing and revitalizing, warming her insides. Her mind had been so occupied with Jimbo, she’d ignored her own discomfort.

  “I don’t mean to frighten you, Ms. Pritchard, but I’m calling the police,” Dade said, putting down his cup. “The person that did this is dangerous and has to be stopped before something else happens.”

  “You’re absolutely right, young man. Please make the call.”

  * * *

  In the family room, Dade pulled out the plastic bag to reveal the blood encrusted trap in all its ugliness.

  “Holy sh—” the one officer said. He turned to Mrs. Pritchard. “Sorry, ma’am, I didn’t mean to say that. I never saw one of those things before.”

  He handed the clear plastic bag to his partner. “Look at this thing, Wajinski. We’ve got some mean dude hanging around town.”

  Wajinski gave a low whistle. “Sure we didn’t step into a horror flick, O’Malley?”

  Julie understood how they felt. None of this seemed real to her. They were not in the big city. Things like this didn’t happen in little Arlingdale, a peaceful suburb, widely known for its conservatism and low crime rate.

  While Dade kept Sarah company in the kitchen, Julie guided the officers to the spot under the bush where she’d found the unfortunate Jimbo.

  The officers combed the area with searchlights then shook their heads.

  “The drifting snow doesn’t help, but I have a feeling the bad guy is long gone anyway,” Officer Wajinski said. “Let’s call it a night.”

  His partner nodded. Julie walked back with them to Sarah’s kitchen.

  Office O’Malley turned to Sarah. “We’ll come back again in the morning ma’am, when it’s light. Maybe we’ll have better luck finding clues.”

  When they’d left, Julie turned to her neighbor. The woman’s eyes were even more red rimmed, with dark circles under the lids. She seemed exhausted, yet she kept looking around the room and biting her lip. She must feel uneasy without her pet being there to protect her, but wouldn’t admit it.

  “Why don’t I stay over tonight on the couch, until everything’s checked out tomorrow? Then we’ll both feel safer,” Julie said.

  Sarah flashed a grateful smile, though Dade frowned. She could tell the wheels were turning in his mind. Her protector was worried that something might happen to her as well.

  “Dade, can you wait here for a few minutes while I pick up some clothes at my house?

  “Why don’t I check your place first. Just in case.” He moved toward the door.

  She stopped him with his fingers on the knob. “Stay here. I’ll be back before you know it.”

  He frowned, but let her pass through the doorway.

  She should be used to it, yet it still felt good to have Dade care for her. He’d watched over her all her life and wasn’t about to change now. He’d probably always loved her and she him, yet neither of them had realized it. They’d wasted so much time.

  * * *

  She’d been in such a hurry to get over to Sarah’s, Julie hadn’t bothered to lock her back door. As she stepped into the kitchen, she couldn’t help but glance around uneasily. Had the crazy person snuck in? Her heart hammered at the thought.

  “Don’t be a baby,” she said aloud, breaking the house’s silence.

  No one was here. What had happened next door was an isolated incident by a crazed animal hater. Whoever had done it certainly wouldn’t bother to stick around and wait to be found.

  Still, she didn’t waste any time. She grabbed the first unwrinkled suit she could pull out of the closet, along with nylons, shoes, underwear and her laptop computer. She’d stay with Sarah until the police arrived tomorrow, then go straight to the office.

  With an uneasy glance, she closed her back door. She hadn’t been lying when she’d said they’d both feel better together tonight.

  When she got back, a look of relief crossed Dade’s face. She pretended not to notice.

  “Well, it’s getting late. We girls need some sleep,” Julie said, glancing at the obviously worn Sarah.

  “I’ll stay outside in my car to make sure no one comes in,” Dade said.

  “Don’t you dare. You’ve got cases up tomorrow.”

  “You’re more important.”

  “I won’t let you do it. I’ll put my cell phone right under the pillow. We’ll be fine. Now go on home.”

  She followed him to the door.

  “Bolt the lock when I leave.”

  She opened her mouth, but was quickly silenced by the pressure of his lips on hers. Before she could k
iss him back, Dade was gone, leaving her lips tingling and the rest of her wanting more.

  “You better keep that man. He’s like my Joey was,” Sarah said from behind her.

  “I intend to.”

  Well, at least Dade had succeeded in taking Sarah’s mind off of her misfortune. Julie felt sorry for the woman, but it could have been much worse. Thank God, Jimbo would be all right.

  Dade’s car idled outside for over an hour, then took off. Despite her insistence that he leave, she couldn’t help but feel a trickle of uneasiness. If she did need to use her cell phone, it would take precious minutes before help arrived.

  The perpetrator had to be long gone. The police had combed the area. She and Sarah had nothing to fear. Still, just in case, after Sarah made it into her bedroom, Julie rechecked all the locks and bolts. Satisfied, she arranged a pillow on the family room couch and stretched out.

  She was dead tired, but her mind remained on full alert. She’d never fall asleep. At this rate she’d have no trouble hearing if anyone broke in. She gripped the cell phone under the pillow for reassurance. Nine-one-one was already programmed on her speed dial. All was ready. Her eyes were awfully heavy. It wouldn’t hurt to close them for a few minutes.

  A squeaking sound from the direction of the kitchen awakened Julie from a turbulent sleep. Was that the doorknob turning? Was someone breaking in? What were those scratching sounds?

  She had to get help. Where was her cell phone? It should be under the pillow where she’d left it, but she couldn’t feel anything but the cushions. Maybe it had dropped.

  There it was on the floor. She grabbed it and pressed the speed dial, but the phone was dead. When she’d lain down, it was fully charged. What could have happened?

  She had to get to the land phone in the kitchen and summon help, yet that’s where the intruder was trying to enter. What should she do? She wished she could make a run out the other door, but that would mean leaving Sarah to the mercies of what might be a deranged lunatic. She’d never forgive herself if something happened to the sweet old lady.

  The invader would be inside soon. Stumbling, Julie rushed to the kitchen, where the shaking and rattling were more pronounced. She reached her arm over the counter for the phone. She’d made it this far. If luck was with her, she’d get out the emergency call before the intruder entered. She and Sarah might still have a chance.

  She pressed nine-one-one and lifted the receiver to her ear. Dead silence. The line was cut. Any second she’d face the monster who’d almost killed Jimbo. She had to defend herself. Which drawer had the knives? How could she find anything with the lights off? If she turned them on, she’d be more of a target.

  Maybe she’d get lucky. She opened the first drawer. Before she could get her hand inside, the kitchen door creaked open.

  Julie swung around. With heart pounding, she faced the monster.

  “It was you, wasn’t it? How could you do such a thing?”

  “It was easy, and you’re next.”

  The intruder advanced. Julie stepped backward. Something cold surrounded her ankle, then clamped down on it hard. It was an animal trap. Pain shot from her ankle, up through her thigh. She couldn’t move. She leaned on the counter for support. She had to get this thing off of her or she’d bleed to death.

  The intruder laughed at her pain. She couldn’t believe this was happening.

  She had to free herself.

  A radical thought broke in, saying, It doesn’t have to be this way. All I have to do is wake up.

  If only it were true. If only she could wish this horror away. She’d try just in case.

  “Please, let this not be real. Please let me wake up,” she said.

  She couldn’t be that lucky. There was no way out.

  Miraculously, her prayers were answered. Julie found that she was not in the kitchen facing an intruder, but on the couch, with her foot throbbing, caught between the cushions. Once she turned and adjusted her leg, she felt better.

  The sun was peeking through the drapes, promising a beautiful day. The snow would soon melt.

  Sighing with relief, she realized the whole thing had been a crazy nightmare. No one had rattled the knob last night. No one had shackled her.

  True, but someone had done that to Jimbo. What had happened to the dog was no dream.

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  The next day, when Dade returned from the Commission, he found Julie’s secretary, Dee, and Pam, the receptionist, huddled together giggling.

  “Can you let me in on the news,” he asked with a smile.

  He could use a little levity, especially after what had happened yesterday to poor Jimbo. He’d always had a soft spot for animals. It burned his gut to see one suffer.

  The women exchanged uncertain glances.

  Dee said, “I’ve got a message for Julie. Do you know when she’ll be back?”

  Her voice was breathless and excited, as if she could barely keep a secret.

  “Not long. It should be an easy trial.”

  “I hope so. I’m just dying to tell her.”

  “Tell her what?”

  “About the call.”

  Dade raised his eyebrows. “We get lots of phone calls. What’s the big deal?”

  “Not from Tyler Jensen,” she said reverently.

  Hell. He’d thought Jensen was old business. Was the creep making a comeback?

  “Just think. Tyler Jensen might visit this office. He’s single, you know,” Pam said.

  “Yeah, right.” Dade turned to walk away.

  In the hallway, he couldn’t help but overhear Pam say to Dee, “What’s gotten into Dade? Do you think he’s jealous?”

  He braked to hear the reply. “Maybe he’s seen the light. Wouldn’t it be ironic if he wanted Julie now, but it was too late?”

  “Can you imagine. Gee, what a difficult choice: the Boss Man or the Great Mystery Writer,” Pam said. “They’re both dreamy.”

  Dade smiled. At least the receptionist had a high opinion of him. What about Julie? Where did he stand if Jensen was back in the picture?

  * * *

  He’d had enough of juggling calls. Time to get away. Dade meandered down the hall, knowing exactly where he was headed.

  “How goes it,” he asked, popping his head into Julie’s doorway.

  She glanced up from her paperwork to flash him a tired smile. “Come on in. I could use a break.”

  “You too, huh?” He pulled up his customary chair beside her desk and stretched out his legs.

  “Yes, I’m really down. I keep thinking of poor Sarah. I hated to leave her this morning. She looked so lonely without Jimbo. What’s so sad is he’ll have to stay at the animal hospital at least a few weeks. Sarah’s too frail to handle a dog with a bad leg. As soon as he’s better, she plans to sell her house and move in with her daughter in Arizona.”

  “It’s rotten for her to lose her independence like that. Are you stopping by to see her tonight?”

  “I’m picking her up. Then we’ll visit Jimbo. She insisted I not stay overnight again. I think she’s embarrassed at the attention.”

  “Any word from the police?”

  “Sarah didn’t say, but then again, when I managed to get through to her, three lines lit up on my phone. I have a feeling nothing much happened, or she would mentioned it. I’ll ask her later.”

  He nodded. They went on to discuss the morning’s trials. With each pause, he expected Julie to bring up Jensen, yet she didn’t. He couldn’t let the matter lie. It would kill him not to know.

  “When I came in earlier, the staff was going nuts over a message for you, you know, from the Great One.”

  Hell, that had come out wrong.

  “Oh, you must mean Tyler.”

  She sounded nonchalant, but her face turned red. Damn it, Jensen did mean something to her.

  “You won’t believe this, but the man’s buying Grand Granada, the historic hotel on Marine Drive. You know, the one held by the Granada Estate.”<
br />
  Dade let out a low whistle. “That baby’s up for millions.”

  “Well he’s got that and more, not to mention ambition. He plans to restore it.”

  “And you’ll cash in on the attorney’s fees.”

  “That’s right.” She flashed him a smug smile.

  Was that the only attraction? What woman wouldn’t want to go after the main prize, Jensen himself?

  “Does that mean you’ll be staying here longer?”

  “No, the deal should close in about three months, around the time I was leaving anyway. If it extends, I’ll finish up on my own.”

  Dade nodded in acceptance, though something about the setup bothered him. It was strange for the guy to hire Julie. Sure, she was one of the best in her field and well respected, but he had a feeling there was more to it than that. Jensen must already have his share of competent attorneys. Something didn’t ring right.

  Dade frowned. The purchase would bring Julie and Jensen together more often. Anything could happen.

  Damned if he’d let on it bothered him. He stretched out his hand. “Congratulations, partner. Keep hauling in the dough.”

  She looked at him strangely, then shook his hand. It tingled afterwards, as he turned and walked out.

  He hadn’t handled that very well, but how could he? He was in a no-win situation. While he didn’t want to encourage Jensen’s hanging around, if he objected it would seem he didn’t trust Julie. She was a grown girl and could make her own decisions. His days of playing big brother were over.

  * * *

  “Your tape is ready, Mr. Donovan. Anything more?” his assistant asked, in a no-nonsense voice, as her strong hands plunked down a huge pile of letters on his desk.

  “That’s all. Thanks, Pat.”

  He smiled in appreciation. At least something was on track. He didn’t know how he’d deserved it, but he’d landed an extremely capable assistant. The large curly haired Pat O’Brien cranked out stacks of work and everyone liked her, unlike poor Nora.