Locking You (The Boston Kirkpatrick's #2)

by S. Donahue

  He smirks, “I think you’re thinking this.”

  I look at him like he’s deranged because he grabs a handful of cake and smashes it in my face.

  “Are you fucking nuts? Have you lost it?”

  “You need to lighten up and have fun. You’re so serious at times.”

  “I’m a fucking mess.”

  “I can lick it off you.”

  I’m going to kill him. I’m glad he thinks this is funny, because I’m not laughing. I will get him back for this.

  “I see you plotting revenge. You know I love your feistiness.”

  “Uh…Sometimes you frustrate me.”

  I storm off to the restroom to clean up. I know I’m uptight and serious at times. I’m completely aware, but I feel there’s a time and place for fun and games. Brendan is a go with the flow kind of guy and I understand that he wants me to loosen up but come on… we’re at a cake testing for our wedding. I clean off my face, compose myself and get ready to head back to Brendan.

  When I walk out of the bathroom, he is staring at me.

  “What are you looking at, Clark?”

  “Awe a dagger right through the heart. Why do you have to call me Clark when you’re mad at me? My gawd it was just a piece of cake. Cheer up.”

  “Fine, can we just move forward with the cake testing? I just want to go home and get some rest.”

  “Come here, sweetie. I’m sorry.”

  He nestles me in his arms. When he holds me, all my frustration evaporates. I’m an independent woman, but yeah there are times when I need my man’s arms around me for comfort.

  Eat my words. My phone starts ringing. It’s Watson.

  “I’ll just call him back later.”

  “What if it’s important?”

  “Maybe you are right.” As I’m about to answer my phone, Brendan’s phone starts ringing and “Jess the Mess” comes up on his caller id.

  “Really? What does she want?”

  “How the hell do I know?”

  “Well, get it!”

  He answers the phone. I’m so pissed that she is calling. I didn’t even answer Watson’s call. This woman just doesn’t get it. I’m going to have to put this bitch in her place. I’m going to be Mrs. Kirkpatrick and she will only be Jessica rabbit or whatever her name is. I can hear the whole conversation, obviously, because Brendan is sitting right next to me.

  “Jess, what you want?” he asks.

  “Okay. Thanks for letting me know. I have to go. Hell no, bye”

  He hangs up the phone and looks at me seriously.

  “You better call Watson.”

  “Huh, what’s that got to do with Jessica?”

  “She called to tell me it’s all over the news that there has been another murder at the casino and Connor’s been taken in for questioning.”

  “What else did she say?”

  “That’s it.”

  I look at him skeptically. “Why did you say hell no?”

  “Because she said maybe we can do lunch or something.”

  Bad timing- My phone rang again. It’s Wilson. Brendan’s face turns red, but how can he get mad when Jessica Rabbit just called his phone. I answered despite the look on his face.

  “Wilson, what’s going on?”

  “Watson had me call you. There’s been another murder.”

  “Who the fuck is it and why has my future brother-in-law been taken in for questioning?”

  “The victim is Miss Natalie Chestnut. My heart is broken.”

  “We just saw her. I wouldn’t have even thought to interview her. What the hell does she have to do with any of this and what the hell does Connor have to do with this? Wilson, where’s Connor?”

  “He’s at precinct in an interrogation room. Watson took him down there.”

  “Meet me down there in half hour. If you beat me there, clear all other investigators out, my orders. They had no right fucking with my investigation.”

  “Joella, what the fuck is going on? Where’s my brother?” Brendan asks with concern on his face.

  “Watson brought him to precinct. He’s in an interrogation room.”

  “I’m calling Reggie to meet me down at the station.”

  “I’ll say bye to Donna and apologize.”

  Reggie is Brendan’s lawyer. He calls him and I say my goodbyes to Donna. I promise her I will call her tomorrow with our decision on the cake flavors. I apologize and explain about the situation that we have on our hands. She is very understanding. I also tell her she has the job and will be making our wedding cake. She is thrilled.

  ***

  Brendan is taking me down to the station because we drove to the bakery together. I am reeling. He is screaming in the car. I know he is upset, but I don’t need this shit right now. I can’t think with him being pissed off too. I need to figure out why Connor is involved in this situation. Up until now the only connection he had was the meeting that was going to take place with Brendan. Why would someone kill Miss. Chestnut? She seemed innocent. I mean she is a secretary. They do know a lot, but she didn’t seem like she knew anything that was going on at all. She seemed rather spacy.

  “Babe, I’m trying to think. You’re distracting me with your ranting,” I say, trying not to hurt his feelings.

  “I’m sorry, but my fucking brother didn’t kill anybody and Watson knows it. He could be an asshole sometimes. I know he’s my friend and he was there for me during my hard times when you were shot, but he isn’t quite fond of Connor. This somehow gives him a reason to take him in… whatever that reason may be.”

  “I’m going to get to the bottom of this and I will be the one questioning Connor.”

  Brendan is driving like a hundred miles an hour due to his angry state. I’m holding onto the dashboard.

  “I want to get there in one piece.”

  “Ma is going to be livid when she finds out that he’s been arrested.”

  “We don’t know if he’s been charged or just taken in for questioning. I can’t see him being charged. There’s no proof he did anything. If Mrs. O’Malley is behind this Connor shit, I’m taking her out…tonight.”

  “I don’t need you in jail too.”

  “Listen, I don’t want you staying at the police station, just drop me off.”

  “Why? I want to see Connor.”

  “You can’t see him anyway.”

  “What are you hiding?”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “You don’t want me to meet Wilson.”

  “Are you crazy? What’s Wilson have to do with this? I just know how you get. You’ll be arguing with people. I don’t want you interfering with my investigation.”

  “I’ll be fine. I’m staying.”

  “Mess with my investigation. I don’t care if you’re my fiancé, I’ll throw your ass in jail. Don’t say I didn’t warn you. I’m not in a good mood right now.”

  Chapter 8

  Brendan

  I throw the SUV into Joella’s parking spot in the lot. She jumps out and runs into the station. I follow behind her. I need to know what is happening with Connor. I promised her I wouldn’t interfere with her investigation, but she has to understand also that this is my brother, my flesh and blood. I will fight tooth and nail for him. I’m not going to sit back and let someone set him up and have him take the fall. No way in hell is that happening.

  She goes right to Watson’s office as I expect her to. I try to sneak in with her, but she turns around and tells me to sit in the chair and wait for Reggie to get there. She better believe that I will have my own talk with Watson when she is interviewing Connor. Just because one person says oh Connor did it, that doesn’t mean he did.

  I sit quietly in the chair as I was told. My cell phone rings. It’s Jessica again. Why the fuck is this bitch calling me again? Ever since I got engaged, she has been trying extra hard to be my friend. I don’t want her at all, plus she is married. If I answer, I’m wrong. If I don’t answer, I’m still wrong because she calle
d. Joella is totally going to take it the wrong way no matter what I do. I clearly don’t want Jessica. Joella is the only one for me. I need to deal with this issue tomorrow.

  The sites you see in a police station are unreal. There are some crazy wackjobs in this world. One of the police officers, John, I know from the club brought in a hooker who has no shoes on and one of her tits hanging out. What do you do in that type of situation? I don’t think I could deal with this crap day in and day out. I really feel for the love of my life. What possesses her to want to do this type of work?

  I am now getting antsy. I need information. This is bullshit. I’m going to knock on the damn door. Someone owes me an explanation. Just as I am about to get up to bang on Watson’s door, Joella comes storming out. “I’ll be in interrogation room#2,” she screams out to Watson, as she slams his door shut.

  “Sweetie, are you okay,” I ask her.

  “Not now. Just go home. I’ll be there later. I’ll have Wilson drop me off.”

  Hell to the fucking no. I know she doesn’t think I’m going to sit back while she becomes close with this guy.

  “I don’t think so,” I call out to her.

  “What?”

  “You heard me. No. He’s not driving you home. I’ll wait here for you to get done.”

  “You’re being a dickhead and I don’t like it. Let’s talk about Jessica. I don’t think you want to go into this now do you.”

  We are arguing as we walk down a hallway. There is a cop standing outside of the interrogation room. He is a little shorter than me, not by much. He has dark brown hair and looks like he works out. When he sees Joella walk up, I could tell by the look in his eyes that he wants her. Maybe she is blind to it, but I’m a guy and I know that look.

  She turns to me and gives me a look that said don’t start your shit.

  “Wilson, this is my fiancé, Brendan. Brendan this is Wilson.”

  He shakes my hand. “It’s so great to meet you. Joella talks about you all the time.”

  Funny, I just found out about you two hours ago.

  I just smile and let it go. “Great to meet you, Wilson.” I address Joella. “I’m leaving. You and I need to talk later. Make sure you speak with Reggie when he gets here. He will be representing Connor. I take it you have a ride home.” I give her a look and walk away. I need to go home and think. I am pissed and if I stay here I might say or do something I am going to regret. It is close to 10 P.M. I decide to go to the one place I can get my frustrations out. I go to Hush.

  Mike is bartending and I need someone to talk to. The place is jam packed, but since the incident with Connor, we became close friends. Connor bought Hush back a few months ago from Mike, when he moved back to Boston. I know for a fact it is taking a toll on him. He has a lot going on with his family life. He is having a lot of issues with Callie. She wants to see her mother in prison and he doesn’t think it’s a good idea.

  I walk up to Mike and shake his hand. “Hey, dude. What’s up? I’ll take a lager.”

  “Coming right up. What brings you here? You barely come in anymore.”

  “Tough night. Connor got arrested.”

  “I know. They were in here looking for him. They told him he could either go to the station himself or they could take him out in handcuffs. He chose to go to the station.”

  “They always want to pull some shit with him. It’s ridiculous.”

  “I saw on the news that he is being questioned in the murder of Mr. O’Malley and the secretary, Miss Chestnut.”

  “That’s what they are saying. Joella said that Mrs. O’Malley tried to pin her husband’s death on me and Connor. I had an alibi. Connor was MIA. Joella will get to the bottom of this.”

  “You look like something else is bothering you.”

  “Fucking Jessica keeps calling me. I don’t want anything to do with her. She doesn’t get it and Joella is spending her time with a good looking rookie cop.”

  “Sounds like trouble in paradise. Dude, figure this shit out before you get married again, I might add.”

  “I know Joella loves me. I’m not questioning that. It’s the way he looked at her…like he wanted her. She’s my woman and he did it right in front of me. So imagine what he may try when I’m not around.”

  “Why don’t you just sleep on it? Just go home and talk about it when you’ve calmed down.”

  “Well, he’s driving her home since I have the car. I should have taken a fucking cab home.”

  I only stayed at the bar for 2 beers then I left. When I arrive home, I grab a chicken cutlet sandwich and put the Sox game on. I can’t concentrate but they are in extra innings and I need to watch this. My mind is on Connor, Joella, and the fucking Rookie. Watching the Sox distracts me a little bit. I drift off to sleep as the players charged the field when they win the game.

  That’s the last thing I remember.

  Chapter 9

  Joella

  Brendan is so damn rude…whatever…I can play his game. I knew he would react the way he did if he met Wilson in person. That was the main reason why I didn’t want him to come to the station. Wilson is standing here with a perplexed look on his face.

  “What’s wrong with him?” he asks me as I’m about to set up the video recorder.

  “He’s just pissed off because his brother has been arrested.” I wouldn’t dare say he’s pissed because he thinks you want to fuck me. I can just see that now.

  “I’m pissed because I know Connor is not responsible and the assholes we work for played into their game. They’re using him to bide themselves time. If I focus on Connor, which they know I will, they have time to “get away with it”. Any other cop would have arrested Connor, found some stupid connection, made it look like it’s him and closed the case. Me- I’m thorough.”

  “We’ll figure it out.”

  “I need a minute with my brother-in-law before we begin recording. I’ll be out to turn it on. Make sure no one touches the machine. This is off record.”

  I am fuming inside, but I have to do my job. My interrogation has to be on point to get Connor off. If they find one loophole they will book him. Watson is going to be watching the entire interrogation. I walk into the room and Connor jumps out of his seat.

  “Thank Gawd you’re here. They fucking think I killed people.” He is clearly distraught.

  “Connor, I’m going to be questioning you. You need to just tell the truth. Don’t curse. I will be cursing enough for both of us. I’m recording the questioning because I want to make sure that nothing gets misinterpreted being that I’m going to be your sister-in-law. Watson agreed.”

  “He’s a damn asshole. He knows I didn’t do it.”

  “Well they have nothing so they need to look good by bringing in a suspect. They waited until I was off-duty nonetheless. Don’t worry it’s going to be okay. I’m going to turn the recorder on and come back in here. Be calm.”

  “Thanks, Joella. Love ya girl. Brendan’s a lucky man.”

  “Yeah, well he’s not going to be so lucky when I kick his ass tonight.”

  “I’m scared of you.” We both started laughing.

  As I leave the interrogation room, Detective Shea is walking down the hallway. He’s a know-it-all, plus he’s just a straight up dick. I wouldn’t be surprised if he had something to do with Connor being taken in for questioning. He’s around the same age as Connor. Rumor has it that he hates the Kirkpatrick’s…like really hates them. Apparently it started in high school when Connor slept with his girlfriend. A fair fist fight erupted, but then a couple of Shea’s friends jumped in. Brendan and Billy came to Connor’s rescue and beat the crap out of Shea. He has had a vendetta against them from way back when…so I hear. I need to ask Brendan about it whenever I decide to speak to him again.

  “Should you be laughing with the suspect whom you happen to be related to?”

  “Mind your business, detective. I don’t care how much longer you’ve been a detective than me, so you mention time and time again
. You’ve been an asshole even longer than that.”

  “Good luck getting him off.”

  “Don’t you have some rookies to harass?”

  “I’ll be laughing when he goes to jail for life…for murder.”

  That’s it. I had enough of his shit. He’s going down. “Why you want him away so bad? Are you trying to hide him from your wife?”

  “Bitch!”

  Watson walks up in the middle of our spat. “Enough,” he says, glaring at both of us. “Shea go back to your desk. Soriano, get ready for interrogation.”

  Watson whispers in my ear when he’s out of sight. “Don’t let him get to you. You’ll do great. Now go free this one, so we can go find the killer for gawd’s sake.”

  “I honestly don’t think Connor killed anyone. Mrs. O’Malley keeps saying he did it; therefore we need to question it, find the connection between him and Mrs. O’Malley and why she has something against him. Oh God, I’m scared to ask.”

  Watson laughs, knowing what I mean.

  “Oh, and just so you know, she filed a complaint against you today.”

  “Great, just great. I’m not surprised.”

  “I heard you uh…sang her a song? Wilson, she any good?”

  “Oh Yeah, the next American Idol,” he says sarcastically.

  “Whatever, jackass.” I push his arm jokingly.

  “Alright Soriano, go in there and kick ass. You got this.”

  I enter the room again and make the sign of the cross. Dear God give me strength

  “Mr. Kirkpatrick”

  “Detective”

  “I’m going to start by saying you have been brought in for questioning in the death of Mr. Kieran O’Malley and Miss. Natalie Chestnut.”

  “I have no idea who she is.”

  “Where were you the night Mr. O’Malley was killed?”

  “I was at Hush until 2 A.M.”

  “Can you please clarify what Hush is?”

  “It is a nightclub/ strip club that I own”

  “Thank You. What happened after you left?”

  “My wife Wendy called to tell me that my daughter Callie was having nightmares and wanted me. I went straight home and was there for the rest of the night. I was scheduled to have a meeting the next morning but it was cancelled due to Mr. O’Malley’s death.”