Amy King Cozy Mysteries- The Complete Series

by N. C. Lewis

  "Have you noticed anything strange or unusual over the last few weeks?"

  "How do you mean?"

  "Strangers visiting the offices, phone calls, anything unusual?"

  Abay leaned back, swiveling his chair around in a circle. "No."

  "What about with Mr. Battles?"

  "He was his usual self. If there was anything on his mind he didn't show it. In fact, he announced he planned to lead the firm well into the future. If I could choose a single word to describe Barry, it would be elated."

  "Really?" Nick said, making a note. "So there had been talk of his retirement?"

  "Yes, but Barry made it clear he was not stepping down."

  "I see."

  Abay idly bent a paperclip and with a sudden twist snapped it in two. "Detective King, I think you will find it was a freak accident, a random shooting, happens all the time."

  "It does?" quizzed Nick.

  Abay stood up and walked toward the window. "So it seems. Of course, as a law enforcement professional, you are in a better position to know that. I only read the newspapers and listen to the radio reports." He glanced out onto the grounds of the capitol building. A group of schoolchildren milled about on the grassy area. A large crowd of adults followed a couple holding a banner—Support Texas Home Schooling.

  Nick tapped his pen on the side of the table. "Mr. Gómez, do you know of any reason someone would want to kill Mr. Battles?"

  He looked away, shuffled his feet and cleared his throat. "No."

  Nick swiveled around, watching him closely. "Mr. Gómez, where were you when Mr. Battles was shot?"

  Abay didn't answer immediately but stood there regarding Nick with a calculating eye. Finally, he said, "Detective King, I find your line of questioning to be offensive, misleading, irrelevant, and if you wish to pursue it further, I will require that a lawyer be present. Now if you will excuse me, I've important business to attend to." He gestured toward the door indicating the meeting was over.

  Chapter 16

  When Nick woke up the following morning the sun was streaming through the bedroom window, Amy was already up. It was seven forty-five, and he was late. He sprinted to the shower, fuming at not setting the alarm and wondering why Amy hadn't woken him.

  The water ran hot and long as he went over the facts surrounding the death of Barry Battles. He strung what he knew into a sixty-second overview for Lieutenant Kostopoulos. Then he toweled off and slipped into a white, button-down shirt and black slacks, hurried to the kitchen, pouring the last cup from the coffeepot.

  "Hello darling," said Amy, walking into the kitchen. "Want me to fix you something?"

  Nick huffed.

  "What's up?" asked Amy, looking surprised.

  Nick stared down at the coffee cup. "Meeting with Lieutenant Kostopoulos this morning."

  Amy rubbed her eyes. "Oh, I would have woken you up, but I've been talking to Ruby most of the morning."

  He looked at Amy with a worried expression. "Where is she?"

  "Upstairs sleeping."

  "I'll catch up with her later today. Is she still suffering from jet lag?"

  "Not really," said Amy solemnly. "That's not the problem."

  Nick drew his eyes up from the coffee cup, glancing at the wall clock. "Oh." He knew there was more. He wanted to stay and talk, discover what was on his wife's mind, and get an update on Ruby, but there wasn't enough time. The lieutenant wasn't a man you could keep waiting. He changed the subject. "Where is Noel?"

  "Gone."

  There was something in her voice Nick would normally pick up, but today he was in a hurry, his mind on meeting the lieutenant, and getting back to work. "Noel starts early!"

  "Yes, he left a little after six. Ruby says, in London he leaves even earlier because of the traffic."

  Nick shook his head. "That's a shame. I wanted to speak with him about Abay Gómez."

  Amy folded her arms. "Mr. Gómez is hiding something; I'd put money on that."

  Nick waved a hand. "Like what?"

  She shrugged. "I don't know. Do you think he is in a relationship with the secretary, Doris?"

  "The thought had crossed my mind, but his love life is not part of the investigation."

  "Maybe it should be."

  Nick thought about that. "When I get to work today, I'll review the crime scene reports. If Abay's name pops up as a person of interest, I'll dig further into his relationships."

  Amy seemed satisfied. "Scrambled eggs with beans, bacon, and toast?"

  Nick glanced at the wall clock. "Okay hon," he said with a touch more warmth in his voice. "Go on. You know how your breakfasts always get me off to a good start."

  Amy prepared the meal in silence and set the food in front of Nick. Then she hurried out of the kitchen and upstairs.

  It wasn't until Nick popped the last piece of bacon into his mouth and drained his coffee cup that Amy reappeared.

  "Nick," she said in a soft voice. "We need to talk about—"

  "Got to go," he said, glaring at the wall clock—eight twenty a.m. "I can't keep Lieutenant Kostopoulos waiting. Honey, we'll talk this evening. I'll be back early."

  "Promise?"

  "Promise," he replied, pulling on his jacket and racing toward the front door. "By the way, when you see Noel ask him to drop me a line. I have a hunch he might have information that will help the Barry Battles investigation."

  Chapter 17

  When Nick arrived at Lieutenant Kostopoulos office, he was on time—just. The office manager who also doubled as his secretary waved him to a little plastic chair. "The lieutenant is busy right now. He'll be out in a little while."

  At nine fifteen Nick pulled out a pen from his pocket tossing it high in the air with his left hand, catching it with his right and repeating the process. At nine twenty he got up and paced. After a while, as he paced, he went over the facts of the Barry Battles case. He felt certain there was a connection to the threats Barry had received years earlier. But he couldn't figure out the link.

  The office door flew open at nine twenty-five.

  "Ah, Detective King," said a smiling Lieutenant Kostopoulos, "please come in. "

  The first thing Nick saw as he entered the office was Officer Bob Chambers with a smile that stretched from ear to ear. Bob Chambers, while not exactly idle, had a reputation for landing the easier assignments. If it involved drinking coffee and eating cookies, he would be somewhere around. He did as directed and nothing more—and prided himself on never volunteering for anything. Chambers was not your man if the job needed initiative.

  The second thing Nick saw was the stern look on Lieutenant Kostopoulos' face. The lieutenant was a straight shooter, told it like he saw it without emotion, and expected officers to follow orders. In short, he was a by-the-book type of police officer who would raise hell when officers violated protocol.

  A sense of apprehension rose from deep within Nick's stomach as he stood just inside the office, staring at Officer Chambers and Lieutenant Kostopoulos.

  "Come in, come in and take a seat, Detective King," the lieutenant said, waving him into the room.

  Nick slipped into a seat next to Chambers.

  The lieutenant sat with a heavy thud. "Welcome back, Detective King. There have been a lot of changes over the past few weeks." He picked up a stack of papers, tapping them lightly on the desk until they were all aligned. "You know Officer Chambers, don't you?"

  Nick turned to acknowledge the officer with a look of pity. Chambers looked like an overripe watermelon stood on end, with balloons for arms and a pumpkin for a head. He wondered how he'd passed the physical agility exam.

  "Now," continued Lieutenant Kostopoulos, "Nick, I want you to take charge of a new unit."

  "Yes, sir," Nick said with uncertainty. There wasn't another unit he wanted to work in. He loved the executive protection unit.

  Lieutenant Kostopoulos cleared his throat. "I've invited you two fine police officers here today as the first members of the new lollipop liaison u
nit."

  Nick's mouth hung open. It was all he could do not to cuss.

  "Thank you, sir, thank you," stammered Officer Chambers reaching forward and shaking the lieutenant's hand. "It is an honor to serve the people of Austin. I'm delighted and eager to start."

  "Good, good," said Lieutenant Kostopoulos, a smile of relief creeping across his face. "Your first assignment is at O'Henry Middle School. Tomorrow, the Parent Teacher Association is having a coffee morning." He handed a slip of paper to Nick and stood up. "That will be all, gentleman."

  Chambers hurried out of the office, with quick steps, head back, arms swinging loosely at his side. Nick hung back. "A word in your ear, sir."

  The lieutenant let out an uneasy sigh. "Yes, Detective King?" he said, returning to sit at the desk.

  "I'd rather go back to the executive protection unit. I've been working the Barry Battles case—"

  Lieutenant Kostopoulos raised a hand."Detective King, you're assigned to the lollipop unit. Good day!"

  Nick, scarcely able to hold his anger and confusion, rose to leave.

  The lieutenant's tone softened. "It's a temporary assignment, pressure from the chief and town hall. I read your department medical report. The doc said you are to take it easy."

  "For a week or two," interrupted Nick.

  "Keep Chambers in line, do an excellent job, regain your strength, and you'll be back with the executive protection unit."

  Nick hesitated at the door. "What about the Barry Battles case?"

  The lieutenant's face hardened. "The Feds are all over it, and the Securities and Exchange Commission."

  Nick blinked. "The Securities and Exchange Commission? Aren’t they responsible for protecting investors?"

  The lieutenant didn't respond.

  "I could do a little digging," Nick pressed. "Maybe I can help."

  "No, keep out of it. That's an order."

  Nick shook his head dispiritedly, turned to leave, closing the door hard behind him.

  Chambers was waiting by the jumble of plastic chairs outside Lieutenant Kostopoulos' office. His face was that of a child's gazing at Santa's presents on Christmas Eve. "Detective King, what luck!" he said beaming, wriggling his overweight behind and slapping Nick on the back. "If we play our cards right, we can stay in the lollipop liaison unit until we retire. Let's celebrate; the donuts are on me."

  Chapter 18

  Nick slipped into a molded plastic chair in a brightly lit Dunkin' Donuts two blocks from the station. He sipped from the oversized Styrofoam cup wondering if this was a bad dream.

  "My favorite place," said Officer Chambers scooping up a handful of donut holes. "Much better value than those fancy, overpriced coffee shops on Congress Avenue." He paused as he munched. "And they don't have these." He shook out another handful of donut holes. "Mmm, I love Munchkins. Want one, Detective King?"

  Nick shook his head and took another sip, and with a look akin to despair realized he wasn't in a dream. He was at Dunkin' Donuts with Bob Chambers, his only report in the new lollipop liaison unit.

  "Let's go over the brief," Nick said, trying to sound upbeat, taking a sheet of paper out of his jacket pocket and unfolding it.

  Chambers raised a hand. "Oh no! This is coffee hour. We can't mix rest with work. The chief said we need to be better at taking our scheduled breaks."

  Nick sighed. Working with Chambers would be a challenge. "Chambers. You're a police officer!" Then he softened his tone. He'd be working with Chambers for who knows how long. "How about I read, and you eat?"

  "Okay," Chambers replied, crumbs tumbling down his oversized chin. "Whatever you say, Detective King."

  A homeless woman walked into the store, her hair matted in thick, dirty clumps. "Want me twenty-five Munchkins and a medium coffee." She rubbed her face with her hand, pulled out a twenty-dollar bill from a pocket. "Got money."

  "Yes, ma'am," replied the server.

  Chambers nodded at the woman then looked at Nick. "They run out, sometimes."

  "Of what?"

  "Munchkins. That's why I like to stop by early. My day isn't complete without a handful or two of these little beauties. Now, speaking of beauties, did you see we are meeting with Austin Independent School District Officer Pascale Morrison at Bowie High School next Thursday morning?"

  Nick glanced at the sheet of paper, happy to get back to work. "Yes. It says here it is an introductory meeting to discuss road safety issues in and around the school." He looked up. "Do you know Officer Morrison?"

  Chambers let out a sarcastic laugh. "Yep, women like that shouldn't be in uniform."

  Nick sat up straight, held his breath, and counted to ten. "What makes you say that?"

  Chambers' thin lips curved into a smile making his face look like a Halloween-carved pumpkin, his yellow-stained teeth like ancient Roman candles. "Asked her for a date once… several times, actually. Even sent her flowers."

  "What happened?" Nick said, leaning forward. If he was going to work with Chambers, he'd have to humor him some.

  Chambers shifted his considerable bulk in his chair. "Told me she'd rather date a desiccated ape." He leaned back in his chair, folding his arms. "As I've said before, women like that shouldn't be in uniform. Keep 'em barefoot and pregnant; that's my motto."

  Nick wondered why the man clung to such ridiculous notions, but he didn't want to go there, not today. "Officer Chambers! Now isn't the time for your chauvinistic views on women."

  "Suit yourself," Chambers groaned. "Sound like one of those liberals driving the country to ruin. No wonder—"

  "Chambers, shut up!" retorted Nick in a harsh voice.

  ◆◆◆

  Back at the office, despite the misery of working with Chambers, and the disappointment of lollipop unit assignments for the next week, Nick went over the brief with a fine-tooth comb, prepared notes for his upcoming meetings, and created a set of slides with data of school-related road traffic incidents. If anyone asked him to make a presentation, he was ready. He'd speak with Lieutenant Kostopoulos in a week about moving back to his regular job.

  "There's a ton of paperwork to fill in with each visit," complained Nick, staring at the dense packet of forms. "Chambers, I'll leave you to complete them."

  "Yes, sir," Chambers replied. He liked simple assignments that involved no decision making nor direct interaction with the public. "I'll have 'em ready ahead of each visit and fill in any follow-up paperwork for you, sir."

  Now, at five in the evening, for the first time in many years, it was time for Nick to go home. He drove the long way, snaking randomly through the streets of downtown Austin, deep in thought and feeling miserable.

  On the one hand, there were plenty of officers who would love the desk job Lieutenant Kostopoulos had assigned him. He knew officers who had patrolled the streets for years, hating every moment, wishing for either a promotion or something less grinding on the nerves.

  On the other hand, Nick enjoyed being active, meeting people, solving difficult crimes. He wanted to work on the Barry Battles case. He had a history with Mr. Battles and with it a sense of failure. The person behind the letter threats many years earlier had never been caught. At the back of his mind was the inkling the killer wrote the letters. Unless he worked the case, he would never find out. He wanted to let it drop but couldn't.

  ◆◆◆

  Nick detected a certain tension in the air the moment he walked into the hallway of his Gaston Avenue home. For several moments he stood still, listening, trying to sense what was different. He glanced around. All was as it had been that morning when he set out for his first day back at work since his heart attack. But something didn't feel right.

  Then he heard it.

  Mumbled voices, low, distressed. They had been there all along, but now he was listening and could hear them clearly. He stood dead still—Amy and Ruby talking about something.

  He let out a breath and walked cautiously toward the living room, standing just outside of the doorway.

>   "My God, Mom," Ruby said with a sob. "I don't think I will ever forget that argument with Noel for as long as I live."

  "Nor will I, darling," Amy answered.

  "What is it?" Nick asked coming full into the room. "What's happened?"

  "It's Noel," Amy said, turning. He saw her sad eyes.

  Nick had been trying not to think about Ruby and Noel's relationship. He knew there were problems, sensed a certain tension between the couple, but now he had to face the issue head-on. "What about Noel?"

  Ruby turned to face her father. "Daddy, he's gone. Noel's left me. We've split up."

  Chapter 19

  That night Nick lay awake with Amy asleep breathing rhythmically beside him. He reached over to give her a hug.

  "Everything all right, darling?" Amy mumbled half asleep.

  Nick didn't answer but watched as she pulled the blanket over her head rolling onto her side and drifting back to sleep. She'd been up the previous night talking with Ruby while they discussed Noel.

  Thinking back to earlier in the morning, he'd seen the dark patches under Amy's eyes but somehow missed them in his excitement to meet with Lieutenant Kostopoulos. He chided himself for missing that. Next time I'll take more care.

  In the late night silence, the events of the day danced in vivid colors like a cat mocking its prey. Lieutenant Kostopoulos, Officer Chambers, the lollipop liaison unit, his daughter's life in ruins, and now the man she loved—gone. It had all happened before his eyes without him noticing or really seeing it.

  It was obvious from the first time he saw Ruby and Noel at the airport that things were not right. He'd ignored the signs, marking them down as jet lag. Now he knew it was much more serious. How long had it been going on? Months, even years?

  Ruby and Noel looked so good together. Although their marriage had been a little rocky financially because Noel couldn't hold down a job, things had turned around with his position at Battles Equity Partners. It was then, Nick surmised, that their problems began. A demanding boss, long hours, and falling stock markets aren't conducive to a happy marriage.

  Nick closed his eyes. Sleep didn't come. He sat up.

  His first impulse was to track down Noel and speak with him. It seemed improbable that the conversation would end well or solve their marriage problems. "They'll have to work it out together," he mumbled. Then he slumped down and pulled the covers over his head. At least I know where to find Noel—Battles Equity Partners.