Tropic of Trouble

by Wynter Daniels

  Ridiculous!

  Her feelings for him amounted to nothing more than lust, pure and simple. Approaching Biscayne Boulevard, she pressed the brake, but her foot went all the way to the floor.

  What the hell?

  She pumped it but it didn’t seem to make any difference. Clamping down on her rising fear, she gripped the wheel tighter and tried again. Nothing.

  At the intersection ahead several lanes of cars whizzed past. Her heart sped as she neared the red light. Brake lights on the minivan in front of her lit up. A tiny head bobbed up and down in the backseat.

  Oh God. I’m going way too fast. I’m going to hit him.

  Nausea threatened. She broke out into a cold sweat. No way could she plow into a vehicle with a child inside. Seconds before she would have made contact, she jerked the steering wheel to the right. The car lurched, whipped hard into the next lane. Horns blasted nearby.

  She tried to right it, but couldn’t. Gripping the wheel as if her life depended on it, she let out a terrified scream. The car tumbled. Her field of vision spun out of control. Twisting metal let out a great bellowing complaint. Her mind cried out for Jason as she headed straight for a canal.

  * * * * *

  Jason let Elvis into his truck then climbed in after. “Females are the most frustrating creatures in the world. You’re lucky you’re fixed, boy.”

  The dog gave a quick woof in agreement.

  Pulling out of the park, Jason contemplated heading to South Beach. Kelsey couldn’t be too far ahead. If she planned to unload the books at her store this afternoon, he wanted to be close enough to watch her. But how could he just stand by and not help her? If she caught him checking up on her, she’d be angry, think he didn’t accept that she was capable of taking care of herself or something.

  “Since the lady obviously doesn’t want me around, why can’t I just stay the hell away?” He started toward his sister’s place. Maybe she could explain why Kelsey acted so damn stubborn. And reckless enough to enter her closed store all alone only days after her employee had been murdered there.

  “What the hell am I doing?” He glanced in his mirrors then made a U-turn.

  He wondered exactly how angry Kelsey would be when she saw him. Didn’t matter. He couldn’t live with himself if anything happened to her because he’d been dumb enough to listen when she told him she’d be fine.

  Turning south on to Biscayne Boulevard, he noticed a flurry of activity off to the left. Police sirens screamed in the distance, coming closer.

  Elvis popped his head up, stared out the rear window.

  “What is it, boy?”

  He whined and Jason patted his side. “Let’s go check on Kelsey.” Increasing his speed, he thought about the case. He still hadn’t figured out how Lilith could have known he had the book? Didn’t make sense. And how had she found his number, or the fact that he was a sergeant? Could Lilith and the guy who’d murdered Margaret be competing, rather than working together?

  Kelsey’s rare book dealer had something to do with this. He felt it in his gut. When he parked in front of the bookstore a few minutes later and found no sign of Kelsey, his head started aching. No way he could have missed her. Maybe she’d gone straight to her place. Must have. He tried her cell but it rang through to voice mail.

  “I think the lady’s avoiding me, Elvis.” Glancing at his watch, he shook his head then started home. He hoped she’d be careful.

  Hours later the pounding beat of pop music vibrated through his head as a few nearly naked women danced on stage. Others worked the crowd. Topless bars weren’t his thing, but when he’d been invited to Officer Peterson’s bachelor party he could hardly refuse. Truth be told, he’d rather be with Kelsey, but apparently she didn’t feel the same way.

  “How about a lap dance, handsome?” The petite Asian woman with gargantuan breasts gave him a bored smile. She reminded him a little of Charlotte, his ex-girlfriend.

  The girl did nothing for him. She smelled like stale beer and cigarette smoke and couldn’t be older than twenty-one. The only emotion he could muster was pity.

  When he didn’t respond, she lifted a drawn-on eyebrow. “Only twenty bucks.” She stepped between his thighs and thrust her fake boobs forward. The tiny silver pasties covering her nipples reflected the brightly colored overhead lights.

  He took her hands and fixed a smile on his face. “I’ll give you a hundred to walk out that door and never come back. Get your GED or go to college even.”

  She shook him off and leveled a distrustful scowl at him. “You some kind of weirdo? Or a cop?”

  He chuckled to himself. “A little of both, I guess.”

  “Whatever.” With a dismissive wave of her hand, she stepped away and melted into the crowd.

  He twisted around toward the bar and took a long pull on his beer. Maybe she’d tell her coworkers he was strange. Then he wouldn’t have to chase any more of them away.

  “Having a good time, Sarge?” Frank Peterson slapped him hard on the back. “Great time, Frank.” He noticed the woman who’d offered him a dance standing behind Peterson.

  “Desiree here says you’re a stick in the…” He crinkled his brow, poked his forehead with a finger. “A stick in the… She says you’re no fun.” He let out a loud belch that reeked of booze. “Oops. Sorry.” Looking over his shoulder at the dancer, he stage whispered, “That’s my boss.”

  Thankfully, Jason’s phone buzzed and saved him from the drunken conversation. Unclipping his cell, he stared at the display. Private Number. Could it be Lilith? “Excuse me, Frank. I have to take this.” Extricating himself from the throngs, he stepped out into the parking lot and answered the phone, but too late. Whoever had tried to call had hung up.

  Before he could make it back inside, the cell vibrated again. “Jones.”

  “Can you speak now?”

  No mistaking the deep, gravelly voice. His pulse raced. “Lilith. What can I do for you?”

  “I told you, I want the book. And I know you have it. I’m willing to do anything to get my hands on it. Anything.”

  Anger overtook fear. “Apparently you are. I presume you’re the one who nearly ran me off the road yesterday.”

  Silence.

  “Hello?” he prompted.

  “Name your price, Sergeant.”

  “Maybe I don’t want to part with it.”

  “But it’s mine.”

  He held the phone away from his ear so her shout didn’t pop his eardrum. The more worked up she became, the more likely she’d trip up, maybe let some information he needed slip out. “Correction. Right now it’s mine.”

  “Don’t you understand? My life depends on it.”

  Interesting. He crossed the asphalt to a tall palm tree. “Your life?”

  “Yes. I can’t… It’s complicated, but you must believe me. It’s a matter of life and death.” Her voice had quieted. He almost felt sorry for her. The desperation in her tone was palpable.

  Maybe he’d taken the wrong approach. “Talk to me, Lilith.”

  She sniffled. “My husband…I need the book to…” She gasped. “I have to go.” The line went dead.

  Damn it. She’d almost given him some answers.

  The door to the club swung open and Ellis Washington—accompanied by a blast of blaring music—came outside. His coffee-colored skin looked almost purple under the harsh parking lot floodlights. “What are you doing out here, Sarge? Already had your share of T and A and drunk COs?”

  Jason waited for the door to close and shut in the loud music. He cleared his throat, afraid his voice would fail him. “Getting some air. Thanks for checking on me.” A warm breeze carried the aroma of orange blossoms from somewhere nearby. The sweet scent reminded him of Kelsey.

  “You okay?” Ellis took a step closer. “You white dudes always look pale to me, but you’re pastier than normal.”

  He let out a nervous laugh. “Shows, huh?”

  Ellis nodded. “What’s up?”

  He’d k
nown Ellis Washington nearly the entire twelve years he’d worked at the jail yet they’d had few conversations about their personal lives. He knew he could trust the man, but suddenly the mystery woman had him suspicious of everyone. Could she be a corrections officer? A clerical person or some other staff member?

  He told the corporal about the murder, his attraction to Kelsey and his frustration at his inability to figure out Lilith’s identity.

  “And you think she might be one of ours?” Ellis asked.

  Jason shrugged. “Who else would call me sergeant?”

  “What do you know about her?”

  He thought about Lilith’s calls. “I’m pretty sure she’s a smoker. Deep, gravelly voice. I just learned she’s married and I suspect someone abuses her. My best guess is she’s working with a man and he murdered Kelsey’s assistant.”

  “Her husband, you think?”

  “Maybe.”

  Ellis held a fist to his mouth. “Hmm.”

  “What is it?”

  “We have a new female officer who might fit your profile.”

  Jason moved closer, desperate for a break in the case. “Who’s that?”

  “Officer Sykes. I think her first name is Petra. Comes in with bruises every now and then. She’s a heavy smoker and you can hear it in her voice. Gravelly is exactly how I’d describe it. She acts above it all, you know? Like she’s better than the rest of us.”

  “Petra Sykes,” he repeated. He tried to hold his excitement in check. “Anything else you can tell me about her?”

  The other man rubbed his forehead, then suddenly stopped. “Yeah. She’s a big reader. Always talking about this book or that book she read.”

  “What shift does she work?”

  “She’s on the hospital transport team. They’re on weird hours. Five am to five pm, I think.”

  He glanced at his watch. Twelve-thirty. “Thanks, Ellis. Don’t mention this to anyone. I’d like to catch her off guard.”

  “Of course.”

  When his phone rang again, he hoped it was Kelsey. He read the display. Private Number. Damn. “It’s her. Excuse me.” He turned away and hit the send button. “Jones.”

  “It’s me.”

  “Everything okay?” Maybe she’d respond to his concern, open up more.

  “Spare me your sympathy, Sergeant.”

  He tried to conjure his most soothing voice. “I want to help, Lilith. You sounded upset a few minutes ago.”

  Vaguely aware of Ellis walking away, he glanced over his shoulder and watched his friend enter the club.

  “You wouldn’t hurt a woman, would you? You’re not that sort of man.”

  A shudder rolled over his skin. Maybe Ellis’ instincts would prove on target. “Who hurt you, Lilith?”

  A sigh. Then he heard her light a cigarette, suck in a drag. “All you need to know is that I want that damn book. What will it cost for you to hand it over?”

  He had to keep her talking. “We can discuss that, but first, tell me about the man who’s abusing you.”

  Her sharp intake of breath confirmed he’d hit a nerve. “No. I can’t.”

  Maybe a different tack. “I understand. And I’m here to listen. Tell me what I can do.”

  “Just give me the book. That’s how you can help me.”

  He gritted his teeth. “How did you learn about the book?”

  “It’s mine! Someone stole it from me.”

  “That’s not possible, Lilith. I happen to know a certain person had it for many years.”

  Someone left the club and the pounding beat of the music filled the night for several seconds. Jason took a few steps away. “How much do you know about the book?”

  Her tone grew shrill. “I’m an expert. How dare you question…”

  “Go on,” he prompted.

  “You’re trying to trick me, aren’t you? I’m no fool, Jones.”

  He rubbed the bridge of his nose. “No, that’s not it. I only want to help, Lilith.”

  “Help,” she sneered. “Ha! If you were really interested in helping me you’d turn over my property.”

  “I’m not saying I won’t.”

  “Now you’re toying with me. That’s not wise, Sergeant.”

  A threat? Hell, he was fairly sure it was she who’d tried to run him off the road. “Your girlfriend could have died this afternoon.”

  His throat closed. He tried to swallow past the terror. Heart pounding, he managed to suck in a breath. Had something happened to Kelsey?

  Son of a bitch! Why didn’t I listen to my instincts and go to her apartment?

  Maybe she was bluffing. “What girlfriend?”

  Her evil laugh sent chills over his skin. His neck and shoulders ached with tension.

  “I know all sorts of things about you, Jason. A little bird told me she lost her brakes on her drive home from that book fair.”

  Chest tight, he forced himself to keep breathing. Why hadn’t he driven Kelsey in his truck?

  I let another woman down.

  “Are you still there, Jason?”

  She’d made this way more personal tonight. He had to get off the phone with her, had to call Kelsey and make sure she was all right. “I’m here.”

  “I have to go now. But I’ll call again. I think you’ll be much more reasonable then.” The line went dead.

  He immediately called Kelsey’s apartment. When she picked up he drew a relieved breath. He wiped the sweat from his forehead. “Thank God you’re okay.”

  “How did you find out?” She sounded tired.

  Why hadn’t she phoned him? Didn’t she understand how much he cared? “Lilith told me. What exactly happened?”

  “L-Lilith?” Her voice sounded shaky. “You think she had something to do with it?”

  “If your brakes went out, she did it or her accomplice.”

  He heard her sharp intake of breath. “That’s exactly what happened. I figured I’d just neglected the maintenance But the mechanic said he found cuts in the front left and right brake line flex hoses.”

  “Were you hurt?” He shut his eyes for a moment and prayed she wasn’t.

  “Just a few bruises. My car flipped over. The seat belt saved my life. The car will be in the shop for a while, but that’s okay. At least I walked away. Are you sure Lilith did it?”

  Relief and anger vied inside him. He had to protect her from Lilith. The woman was obviously deranged and homicidal. “Positive. Lilith knows who you are. She could have killed you today.”

  The door to the bar opened and a few guys stumbled out the door. He recognized one as Frank Peterson. They paused beneath one of the light poles in the parking lot and he realized the other two were also corrections officers. None looked sober enough to walk, let alone drive. “I’d like to discuss this more. How do you feel about me coming over later?”

  Her sigh nixed that idea. “Why don’t we talk in the morning? I’m taking aspirin and going to bed now.”

  Seeing her with his own eyes would make him feel better, but he didn’t want to force himself on her. “Promise you’ll call if you need anything. Anything at all.”

  “I will. I promise.”

  “Lock up tight.” After he hung up, he crossed the lot toward the officers. “Keys, please.” He extended his palm and each man fished out his keys and handed them over. They’d worked for him long enough to know the drill.

  Joe Rodriguez broke rank and ran to the bushes just in the nick of time to barf.

  “Gotta know when to say when, Joe.” Peterson howled with laughter, nearly fell over.

  Jason shook his head. “Haul your drunk asses into my truck.”

  After he’d dropped off the last man, he phoned Mike Callahan.

  His friend answered, but his voice sounded hoarse and quiet. “This had better be good.”

  “Sorry, buddy. You know I wouldn’t call this late unless I had a good reason.”

  “Hang on.”

  Mike whispered to someone. Jason heard a woman’s soft vo
ice.

  “Okay. What’s up?”

  “Someone tampered with Kelsey’s brakes today. I know this has to do with the murder.” He stopped for a red light.

  Mike groaned. “People lose their brakes every day. Can you prove they were tampered with?”

  He gritted his teeth. “Someone ran me off the road a couple days ago. Now they’ve sabotaged Kelsey’s car. This is no coincidence, Mike. A woman keeps calling me, claiming that book Kelsey told you about is hers.”

  “You been reading too many of those mysteries Kelsey sells at her store.”

  “This isn’t my imagination. I need protection for her. A twenty-four-hour guard.”

  Mike balked. “You can’t be serious. Any idea how short-staffed I am after that last round of budget cuts?”

  Unfortunately, he did know. The cuts had cost the jail too many positions. “Look, I’ve been camping out at her place, but she’s resistant to letting me guard her. If you could spare one officer—”

  “But I can’t. Sorry. I will go over the report though and add your suspicions to the file. Will that make you feel any better?”

  He squeezed the steering wheel and bit back his frustration. “Will you feel any better after someone else is killed?” Shutting his phone, he winced against the first stabs of a headache.

  This is ridiculous.

  He refused to spend another night in his car camped out in the parking lot at Kelsey’s apartment. Whether she wanted to see him or not, he was going to her place. He dialed her number.

  “Jason? What time is it?”

  “About one o’clock.” Guilt stabbed at him for waking her. “Listen, Kelsey. I’m on my way over. Lilith has already tried to hurt you. Callahan refuses to put an officer on you and—”

  “Wait a second. You asked him to send a cop here without even running that by me?”

  “I mentioned yesterday that I’d asked him about it, remember? If you’re not going to be vigilant about your safety, well, I guess it’s up to me.” He steeled himself for more arrows.

  “Who the hell put you in charge of my life?” He heard her bedclothes rustle. “You’re here already? Fine. I’ll let you in, but you’re not staying, understand?” The sound of her doorbell came through the phone.