Bad Habit

by JD Faver

  “And I won’t stand for her being railroaded.” Martin Kelso slammed his fist on the nearest desk, his face an unbecoming shade of red.

  “Garcia,” Captain Benson said. “You might as well get started on your report.

  Angel nodded and went to his desk. He logged on and began to write his account of the past nine days, heavily edited. As he typed, he recalled the events as they occurred and tried to keep his perspective.

  He glanced up to see Kelso and the attorney escorting Teri from the building. She met his eyes, briefly before they rushed her out. He crossed to the front of the building and looked down onto the street in time to see her being hustled into a waiting limo and whisked away.

  He heaved a sigh, feeling a huge sense of loss. They’d been together for nine days and he was hopelessly in love with her. After work he’d go by her place to pick up his bag and let her off the hook.

  “We didn’t have enough to hold her,” Captain Benson said. “Good work though, Garcia. Sergeant Tolliver said you solved a San Antonio homicide while you were there?”

  “Frank Altman, the man who killed Colin Dowd also killed the San Antonio victim. You may have to fight Tolliver for jurisdiction. Two other men involved with our shooting were also arrested, Captain.”

  “Texas has the death penalty. I don’t think Altman will fight extradition. Get that report on my desk, Garcia.”

  “Yes, sir.” Angel returned to his computer wondering what was going on with Teri. At least she was with someone who seemed almost as protective of her as Angel himself.

  #

  Teri sank back onto the soft leather seats of the limo. She took a deep breath. “I’m sorry, Martin. I didn’t hear what you were saying.”

  “I said it’s a good thing you called me before you went to the station. No telling what they would have charged you with.”

  “Mr. Kelso is right,” Luther Stone said. “They’re just looking for a way to close the case and they don’t care who they nail for it.”

  Teri turned to look at him. “Really? What about truth and justice?”

  The men exchanged a glance and chuckled.

  Martin patted her hand. “My dear, you are so refreshingly naïve.” He turned to Stone. “Didn’t I tell you that she was a babe in the woods?”

  Teri felt a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach. Had Angel only come after her because he thought she was the killer? Did he want to close the case at any cost?

  No, that wasn’t true. He could have taken her in days ago. He nestled her in the midst of his family and surrounded her with the people who loved him. They welcomed her and seemed to confirm what she believed, that Angel Garcia was in love with her.

  The limo pulled over to the curb and Stone got out. As the driver pulled back into traffic, Kelso directed him to Gallagher’s, a popular steak house. The interior was intimately lit and the walls were filled with paintings of famous race horses.

  Martin beamed at her. “I hope you’re hungry, Teri. New York has missed you and so have I.”

  “As a matter of fact, I could eat something.” She smiled at him and he squeezed her hand.

  They ate and Kelso talked about the office and people she knew. She felt relaxed, as though the events of the past few months hadn’t happened; as though she would go back to the office and find Colin there waiting for her.

  But everything had changed. Colin was dead and she had fallen in love with someone else. She needed Angel in her life and she feared that, somehow, she’d lost him through some negligence on her part.

  After a leisurely meal, Kelso took Teri to her condo.

  “Thank you for everything, Martin,” she said. “I appreciate that you’re always there for me. I don’t know what I would have done if you hadn’t come to the police station with Mr. Stone.”

  “Think nothing of it, my dear,” he said. “I’ll see you up to your flat.”

  “Oh, no, you don’t have to do that. I can make it upstairs by myself.”

  The doorman swung the limo door open and reached in to offer his hand to Teri.

  Kelso looked extremely disappointed, but recovered quickly. “Well, if you’re sure. I’ll check on you later. Be careful, Teri.”

  Upstairs, she unlocked her door and stepped inside. The silence that greeted her was immense. She walked to the floor to ceiling windows and gazed out at the panoramic view of New York City. She’d lived in this location for several years and it had always felt like her home. Today it felt like an alien planet. She thought of the large Garcia household in San Antonio, filled with noise and laughter and the aroma of food cooking on the stove. She missed the loving chaos that wrapped around her when she was in their home. She missed their firstborn son who’d managed to wrap himself around her heart.

  #

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

  Angel frowned at the words on his screen and deleted several lines. His phone rang and he answered it. “Garcia,” he said, absently.

  There was a silence.

  “Angel?” It was her voice.

  His heart took a sudden lurch, pounded his ribs. “Yes, it’s me, baby. Are you okay?”

  “I’m okay. I just...I missed you.”

  A floodgate ripped loose as all his pent-up emotions came washing over him. He swallowed. “That’s good, Mia. I was afraid you’d climbed into that big limo and I’d never see you again.”

  “Idiot,” she said softly.

  He grinned. “I love you.”

  “You’d better,” she said. “When will you come home?’

  The word ‘home’ suffused him with a feeling of warmth. Angel felt as though a tight band around his chest had been cut loose. “I’ll have to finish this report and I’ll be right there. Do you want to go out for dinner?”

  “No, I want to stay in,” she said. “I’ll go to the market and pick up something. Is there anything in particular you want?”

  “I was in the mood for hot blonde.” When he hung up he couldn’t stop grinning.

  “Garcia, do you have something going on with that Teri Slaughter?”

  Angel spun around on his chair and found Captain Benson glaring down at him.

  He took a deep breath, his stomach clenched in a knot. “As a matter of fact, Sir, I do.”

  “Step into my office.” Captain Benson led the way and ordered him to close the door.

  For the next half hour Angel explained how he happened to meet and fall in love with the witness he’d been assigned to locate and return to New York. He skimmed over the details, hoping the Captain could read the report and realize he’d done his job well, arresting the men responsible for the homicide he’d been investigating.

  When he finished his tale, Captain Benson stood shaking his head. “You mean, a beautiful and famous woman gives a rat’s ass about you, a lowly Homicide Detective?”

  “Difficult as it may be to believe, Captain, we’re in love.”

  The Captain stared at him for a long moment. “And you didn’t do anything to compromise the case?”

  “I solved the case and kept her from being killed.”

  “And so, what happens now between beauty and the cop?”

  “When I finish writing my report, I go to her place and have dinner,” he said. “She’s shopping now.”

  A wide grin spread across Captain Benson’s face. “Finish your report tomorrow, Garcia. Go be with your girl. This is the stuff a cop’s dreams are made of.”

  Angel stood up. “Yes sir.” He grabbed his jacket and took the stairs two at a time. He hailed a cab and, once inside, leaned back against the seat, grinning in anticipation of being with Teri. He’d had to do his job, but so far, everything was falling into place. Teri was free and Captain Benson was okay with him seeing her. He’d have to thank Kelso for bringing that lawyer. Of course, no one had asked about the money, yet. If they could get over that hurdle, they might just slide into home plate.

  #

  Teri bought too much food. She’d gotten eggs and fresh bread and juice
for breakfast and for dinner she’d purchased a rotisserie chicken, salad ingredients, fresh pasta and a bottle of decent pinot grigio.

  The market was two blocks away and the bags were getting heavy.

  “Here, let me help you with that.”

  Teri looked up as Martin Kelso took one of the bags. He held a large bouquet of peach-colored roses in his other arm.

  “Martin, what are you doing here?”

  “I wanted to give you these roses as a way to welcome you back to the city. You’ve been greatly missed, my dear.” He handed her the bouquet and relieved her of the other grocery bag.

  “They’re lovely.” She inhaled the rich fragrance. “But, you’ve done enough. Coming to my rescue with an attorney was what I needed most. You didn’t have to do this.”

  “Yes I did, Teri,” he said. They’d arrived at her building and the doorman held the door open for them. “You don’t know how much you mean to me.”

  “You’re too kind, Martin,” she said. “I’m sure all your employees are as fond of you as I am.” Teri knew Martin harbored a not so secret crush on her, but she’d always managed to sidestep the issue. It had been easier when Colin was close at hand.

  “But I’m not as fond of them as I am of you,” he insisted. “You’re a special girl, Teri. Very special.”

  When they arrived at the door to her condo Teri felt compelled to invite him in. He put her groceries on the counter as she located a vase for the roses.

  “Sit down, Martin. Talk to me.” She pointed to one of the cream leather barstools on the other side of the counter. “My refrigerator is disgusting and I have to get rid of everything before I put anything fresh in there.”

  “I love a domestic woman,” he said enthusiastically.

  “I’m just a country girl, remember?” She pulled the trash can close to the open refrigerator and tossed everything from the crisper and the meat drawer. She discarded condiments that were open and tried to remember what other staples she would have to purchase.

  “What’s going on with the firm? Did Jeanne go on maternity leave?” Teri wiped down the glass shelves as she spoke.

  “Yes, she’s out for a while,” he said. “Don’t you have a cleaning woman for that?”

  “I used to, but I guess she stopped coming when I wasn’t around to leave a check for her. I like to clean,” she said. “It’s therapeutic.”

  “Yes, my dear. You have been through a lot.”

  Teri gave the refrigerator a final rinse and placed her few groceries inside. She turned to Martin with a smile.

  “You look radiant, dear one, considering what you’ve been through.” He sat with his arms folded upon her counter top. His manicured nails drummed idly making a clicking noise against the polished granite.

  “Well, I survived.” She brushed a lock of hair back from her face.

  “I can’t get used to your hair,” he said. “I loved the way you used to wear it. It was the stuff of men’s fantasies.”

  “Long hair is a lot of trouble. But, I may grow it out again.” Teri shrugged. “Or not. Who knows?”

  “Are you planning on returning to the agency soon? I saved your position for you.” He raised a speculative eyebrow.

  She frowned. “I don’t know. Colin was brutally murdered. His image is permanently etched on my brain. I was nearly killed. I’m not the same person. I can’t just pick up where I left off.”

  “I understand, my dear. You have plenty of time.” His fingers drummed again. “Speaking of Colin, did he give you a present when you were on your trip? Perhaps some little memento you’ve forgotten about?”

  “I can’t think of anything,” she said. “We went island hopping and we ate and danced and shopped everywhere we went.”

  “But he didn’t give you something special? Something to which he attached some special sentimental significance?”

  She considered a moment. “No, Colin wasn’t sentimental. You know how he was.” She smiled, pleased that she could talk about him without tearing up. “I can’t remember him ever giving me a present unless it was for a special occasion. Why do you ask?”

  “I know what was in the bag, Teri.”

  His softly uttered words sent a whisper of fear skittering along her spine. She turned to give him her full attention. A little smile played around his mouth. “Did you know that Colin was laundering money?”

  She felt the air sucked out of her lungs. She shook her head, staring at Kelso as though he’d been replaced by an alien.

  “He was quite an enterprising boy, our Colin. He set up a series of accounts and funneled money into them from a particular client with unsavory business dealings under the guise of legitimate advertising.

  Teri felt like she was choking on bile. “And you were a part of this?”

  “No. Colin obtained a client with drug connections all on his own. They used the agency to divert funds and Colin made the fatal mistake of trying to skim. He set up a fund for himself and with every deposit, he gave himself a percentage. That was the money he left in the bag.”

  “And they killed him for it?”

  “They couldn’t let him get away with ripping them off. He was well paid for his talents. He shouldn’t have been so greedy.”

  Teri glanced down at her hands. They were trembling. “What do you mean?”

  “The vacation was a cover for his actual purpose and I’m sorry to say you were victimized, my dear.” He sent her a sympathetic gaze.

  “How do you know all this?” Teri steeled herself for the answer.

  “Right after you took off I was contacted by a man who assumed I was in on it. He threatened me.”

  “Oh, Martin, I’m so sorry. I had no idea.” She put her hand on his forearm and he covered it with his own.

  “I didn’t think you were in on Colin’s scheme. You’re too innocent.” He squeezed her hand.

  “You have to tell Angel.”

  “Angel? Are you talking about that young detective?”

  “Yes. He’s amazing, really. He’ll know what to do. I don’t want you to be in danger.”

  “Just tell me where the money is. That’s all I need to know. Where is Colin’s bag?”

  “I don’t know. I threw it at the killers in San Antonio. I guess the police got it.”

  “The money, Teri. I know the police don’t have it.” A knife-hard edge to Kelso’s voice caused her to stare into his eyes. He regarded her without compassion, as a hawk might regard a mouse in its talons. “Where is the money?”

  “It’s gone,” she whispered.

  “Gone where?”

  “I,…I can’t tell you,” she said. The fine hairs on the back of her neck were standing at attention

  “You can tell me anything, Teri. I have to know where the money is or they’ll kill me. You don’t want that now, do you?” The blue marble eyes held hers as in a steel trap.

  “No, of course not. Angel can protect you.”

  Kelso’s grim expression was in keeping with his cold tone. “You seem to have infinite faith in this young man’s abilities. Is there something more between the two of you?”

  “That’s not a factor in his job performance. He can protect you.”

  Kelso offered a chilling smile. “But who will protect you, my dear?”

  #

  Seymour, the doorman, called Teri’s phone. He refused to allow Angel access to the building unannounced.

  Angel raised an eyebrow as he glared at the man. “You saw me with her yesterday. I brought her home in a taxi and we went in together.”

  “And she might not want you here today. This is a high security building and we can’t let just anyone in.”

  Angel could hear Teri’s phone ringing through the receiver glued to Seymour’s ear. “She’s home. Why isn’t she answering?” He frowned at the uniformed man.

  Seymour shrugged his epaulet-dressed shoulders and hung up the phone. “Sorry, sir. I guess she’s not receiving this evening.”

  Angel reached for
his identification and showed it to the attendant. “Something’s wrong. Open the door.”

  “Whoa. Officer, I can’t allow you to enter because you have a badge. Our residents are entitled to their privacy. Perhaps you can call back tomorrow.”

  Angel gave him a hard look. He rested his hand on his weapon. “How about if I shoot you tonight?”

  Seymour winced, holding his hands out in an effort to stave off impending bullets. “Look, man...She has another visitor. About four-o’-clock this afternoon an older dude came with an armload of roses and they went in together. She had the groceries. They were laughing and talking. I figured she wouldn’t want you to crash her party.”

  “Let me in,” Angel said.

  “Okay, okay. No trouble. I tried to warn you, man.” He stepped back and Angel strode past him to the elevators.

  He paced back and forth as he waited. It has to be Kelso. He’s one of her friends. She’s safe with him .But some inner radar was sending out a warning. He jammed his finger on the up button again.

  The elevator door opened silently and he stepped inside, pushing the number for Teri’s floor. It was a smooth silent ride, stopping once to admit an elderly couple who thought the elevator should be going down. After pushing buttons and frowning they turned to glare disapprovingly at Angel who had the nerve to be going in the opposite direction.

  Angel stepped out on the top floor and the doors closed silently on the scowling couple. There was nothing overtly amiss, but he was on alert. He opened the safety catch on his holster and approached her condo. He leaned his head against the door and listened, but heard nothing.

  He recalled Teri’s face when he burst in on her with his mother and great-grandmother. If she and Kelso were having a friendly chat and he burst in with his weapon drawn it would be one more instance to focus her attention on their many differences. He pushed the doorbell and waited.

  #

  He’d tied her wrists and ankles together with the sash to her silk robe. Terrified, she lay on the floor of her bathroom.