Burn in Hell_A Jake Carrington Mystery Read online

  “But it bothers me you’re dating a cop.”

  “It has nothing to do with us or our business deal.” She lifted her head, stared deeply into his eyes.

  “You can’t be that naïve. I’m not comfortable with you dating him. And, as I explained last week, I own you. And I’m forbidding you to see him again.”

  Kyra stared him directly in the eyes, giving great care to her answer before she replied. She got up and started pacing the room again.

  “You’re quite restless, Kyra.”

  “I’m thinking,” she shot over her shoulder.

  Phil started laughing. Kyra turned to see why. She marched back to her chair, throwing herself into it.

  “What’s so funny?”

  “You are.”

  “I’m glad I amuse you. I think it would be unwise to dismiss Jake. He’d want to know why. It would be best to let this burn out on its own.”

  “Explain.”

  “Jake and I hit it off right away, but he’s still in love with the last woman he dated. I don’t see this getting serious.”

  “Then why continue to date him?”

  “He’s good company. We have a lot in common.”

  “I can see that—you’re a criminal and he’s a cop.”

  The sarcasm wasn’t lost on Kyra. She refrained from shooting her own nasty comment back at him. Boy, this man’s jealousy floored her. What’s with all these guys lately?

  A tray with fruit and cheese sat in front of her. She grabbed a piece of apple and a piece of cheese, stuffing them both into her mouth.

  “Stalling, Kyra?”

  “No, I didn’t see where it required a reply.” She picked up another piece of cheese.

  Phil got up and paced around the room, stopping at the window, his back to her. After a long silence, he spoke.

  “I like you, Kyra. I can’t explain what it is about you that makes you different from the other women I normally date, but you’re special. I’m sorry we didn’t connect. I respect your feelings. Who knows, maybe sometime in the future…”

  She sighed. “Thank you, Phil.”

  “I want to make this perfectly clear right now. No matter how I feel about you, if you tell the lieutenant, or sic him on me, you’re dead. Is that clear?”

  Kyra started choking on the piece of cheese she’d just swallowed. Grabbing her glass of water, she drank.

  “Yes, perfectly clear. I can’t see any reason for discussing our business with Jake.”

  “Good. Let’s eat. I want to discuss this funeral director out of Bridgeport.”

  “Okay. How many more bodies should I expect this month?”

  Chapter Sixteen

  Phil tapped his fork on the table and measured Kyra. She didn’t seem to mind what she did for him. At every angle, she continually surprised him. He’d bide his time, because he wanted her. And he always got what he wanted, one way or another.

  “I don’t know. I think after Bridgeport, there might be one more.”

  “In case I get another call, who are the funeral directors I’ll be dealing with?”

  “You won’t be dealing with them again out of the blue. I’ll always call you first before one shows up. I’ve already spoken with Mr. Slawlaski. He won’t call you again.”

  A cold shiver ran down her spine. She hoped Mr. Slawlaski wasn’t going to be one of her burns.

  “Okay. If it’s possible, can I get a little notice? It worked out great last week, because I let my secretary go home early. That way, I’m the only one who sees Angelo.”

  “We’ll see.” He liked the way her mind worked. Not only protecting herself, but the people she was dealing with. It showed character.

  He pressed a button. The maid walked in minutes later and started serving. Tonight’s dinner consisted of manicotti and sausage. He marveled at how she ate. Wondered how she maintained her figure. She didn’t touch the sausage.

  “How’s dinner?”

  “Great. You were right, Maria’s a great cook.”

  “You don’t like sausage?”

  “No.”

  “I’ll keep it in mind. Let’s talk business.”

  *

  Kyra left Phil’s at nine o’clock. She debated whether she should make a quick stop at the casino before heading home. Not knowing if she had enough cash with her, she pulled over to check her wallet. Three hundred dollars wasn’t enough to stop at the casino. Pulling back into traffic, she headed home.

  As she approached her assigned parking spot, she saw a man in a car, his engine running. The dark green car sported a police antenna. Kyra drove past it, noting the city plates, WLBY 10. Making a U-turn, she pulled into her spot then checked the time: ten-fifteen. Doesn’t anyone stay home anymore?

  Jake climbed out of the car when she opened her door. He walked around to her side and helped her out.

  “Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you. Smart move, by the way, driving past until you knew who was in the car.”

  “Yeah, I’m getting smart.”

  “I…I was out on a call and figured I’d stop by on my way home. Sorry, I should have called.”

  “No, it’s okay. I’m just surprised.” Why was he sitting out here? “Were you here long?”

  “No, I got here about five minutes ago and decided to do some paperwork. I was just finishing up when you pulled in.”

  “Would you like a cup of coffee?” Why won’t they all leave me alone?

  “Sounds good, if I’m not intruding?”

  “No, come in.”

  “Didn’t work late, did you?”

  “No, I saw Phil tonight.”

  They’d reached the door. Turning, she looked into his face for a reaction, but he had on his game face, letting nothing show through.

  “How’d it go?”

  “As expected.” She shrugged, unlocked the door.

  They walked in together and she watched Jake scan the place. She hung her jacket up in the closet by the door before dropping her purse on the table.

  “Do you want regular or decaf?”

  “Real coffee has caffeine, accept no imitations,” he said.

  “So, the cliché is true—cops and donuts?”

  He hit his stomach. “Does this look like I eat a lot of donuts?”

  “Sorry, I lost my head. What was I thinking?” Kyra forgot vanity wasn’t only a woman’s sin—men were also prone to it. “I do have coffee cake, if you’re interested.”

  “Ah, you set me up. Well played.” He grinned. “I’d love a piece.”

  “We are talking about the cake, right?” she joked.

  “Well…”

  She punched his arm. Taking the cake from the cabinet, she served him then sat at her kitchen table with her piece. Sipping her coffee, she watched him over the rim of her cup as he ate his cake, waiting to hear the real reason he was here.

  “Are you okay?”

  “Yes, Jake, I’m just tired. I’m whipped from my full weekend and busy Monday.”

  “There wasn’t a problem with Phil tonight was there?”

  Ah, the reason he’s here. He was right, Mr. Protector. “No, there wasn’t a problem. He wasn’t happy, but what could he do about it? I don’t want to date him.”

  “I just wanted to make sure you’re okay.”

  “As you can see, I’m fine, but tired,” she hinted.

  “Kyra, there’s something about him. I can’t explain, but my instincts are normally right on. Be careful dealing with him.”

  “I will.”

  “Okay. I’m on call tonight if you need anything…anything, Kyra.” He pulled his notebook out of his jacket, started writing in it.

  “Thanks, Jake. I’ll be fine.”

  “Here’s my beeper number, you have my cell.” He put the notebook away, stood up.

  Kyra stood and walked him to the door. “Thanks for being concerned, Jake.”

  He leaned in, took her chin in his hand, lifted her face, and kissed her. A slow tender kiss, heat pushed through her body, bu
rning her core. At her response, Jake deepened the kiss. Kyra pushed into him, wrapping her arms around his waist.

  “You keep it up…I won’t want to leave.”

  She didn’t want him to leave. Now where did that come from? “Isn’t that my line?”

  “Cute.”

  “It feels so good to be held, Jake. You don’t have to rush off.”

  “It’s almost eleven. I think it’s for the best. Tonight’s not the night, but it will be soon,” he promised, kissing her again. “Get some sleep.”

  Pulling back, Kyra looked up into his eyes and fell a little more in love with him. Don’t confuse passion with love, Kyra, she cautioned herself.

  “I’ll see you for dinner tomorrow night then.”

  Jake tightened his hold as he rubbed her back, whispered in her ear. “See you tomorrow.” He gave her another kiss, nothing gentle this time. His mouth took possession of hers, his tongue probed her mouth and tonsils and still she couldn’t get close enough or deep enough. She pressed her body into his, wanting more, feeling his need. When he released her, she didn’t know where she was, but knew she didn’t want it to end.

  Her voice cracked. “You sure you want to leave?”

  “I don’t want to, but I think I should.”

  She locked up after he left. Seconds later her phone started to ring. Checking her caller ID before she answered with a groan, she thought, what does he want?

  Chapter Seventeen

  Debating whether to answer or not, Kyra’s finger hovered over the reject button on her phone. She thought they’d said everything there was to be said today.

  Emotionally void, Kyra wondered where all her love for Tommy had gone. Checking her watch, she decided to answer it. It was after eleven. It might have something to do with Trevor.

  “Is Trevor okay?”

  “What? Yes, he’s fine. I’m…sorry to call so late, but I didn’t want to leave…I’m just sorry, Kyra. I get crazy thinking of you with anyone else. You’re mine.”

  “No, Tom, I’m not and I’m not rehashing today’s conversation. Remember who started the proceedings.” She shook her head. Why did she answer the phone?

  “You’re not going to take any blame here?”

  “I do take blame, every single day, every time I walk in the door and Trevor’s not here. I don’t need to be reminded.”

  “Trevor only, you don’t miss me?” What to say? Since he’d filed, she’d lost both her faith in him and her love for him. He’s been so nasty and undercutting, Kyra didn’t know if she’d ever really known him.

  “I did in the beginning, than you started all your shit—it shut me down.”

  “What if I said I was sorry?”

  “It’s a little too late for ‘I’m sorry,’ Tom.” Kyra held her hand up in mock quotation marks. Too bad he couldn’t see them, she thought.

  “I hate when you call me Tom.”

  “Get used to it.” She was being a bitch. It’s about time, she thought, not caring.

  “Are we still having dinner on Wednesday?”

  “Yes, but I’d like to meet you and Trevor in a restaurant. You pick.”

  “Why?”

  “You scared me the other night. I don’t want to be alone with you.”

  She waited for his reply. The silence continued. “Are you still there?” Silence. “Tom?”

  “Yes.” She barely heard him.

  “Let me know tomorrow where you want to meet. It’s late. I need to get to bed.”

  “Alone, Kyra?”

  “I’ll give you an answer this one time. Yes, but don’t ever ask again, because you have no right.”

  “When did you become such a bitch?”

  “When my husband kicked me out of my home and took my son, leaving me with nothing.” She slammed down the phone. Not able to control the tears pouring down her face. Her heart felt every knife wound when he slashed at her that way. She would never show Tom how each plunge with his sharp tongue landed and ripped her apart.

  It’d been a week since she’d been to the casino. Though she itched to go, something had changed. She didn’t need to go. Amazed, she wondered why. If only it had happened before she destroyed their lives. Oh Trevor, I’m so sorry. She cried herself to sleep.

  *

  Kyra woke, groggy and empty, on Tuesday morning. She knew she needed to pull herself together, to deal with the hectic day ahead of her. The corpses were standing in line, it seemed, to be buried today. The foreman, Joel Dunn, was waiting for her when she arrived. Kyra assigned him the first two burials which were due to arrive at nine-thirty and eleven. Joel needed to lead the procession, directing them to the gravesite. She took the other two, scheduled for ten and twelve. Billing was a necessary evil that consumed her morning. She was pulled from her work when her cellphone rang.

  “Yeah,” she snapped, not checking caller ID.

  “I’m glad you made it home all right last night,” Phil said.

  Crap, I didn’t need to deal with Phil this morning. “Hi, Phil.”

  “I have one for you this afternoon. What’s a good time?” Shit, not today. “Phil, I have four burials and two cremations going on today. It’s a busy day, with a lot of people around.” She hoped he got the message.

  “I understand. Would tomorrow be a better day?”

  “Yes, much better.”

  “What time?”

  “Three-thirty, like the last one?”

  “Yes.”

  Kyra thought that would work. Dinner with Tom and Trevor wasn’t until seven. It gave her sufficient time to finish the cremation. She didn’t dare be late for dinner.

  “Okay, tomorrow it is.” Phil abruptly hung up.

  He didn’t give her a chance to answer. What was up with him? Oh well, she didn’t have time to ponder the question. Hearing Blake Gordon’s voice in the outer office, she cursed. Shit, just what I needed today. To entertain one of the trustees. She got up and walked into the outer office, plastering a smile on her face. Greeting him with a warmth she didn’t feel.

  “Hi, Blake, what a pleasant surprise. What can I do for you?”

  She saw him check his watch. “I’m a little early for the funeral, so I figured I’d grab a cup of coffee.”

  “Sounds good.” She turned away from him, toward Dina, and rolled her eyes.

  “Dina, would you mind getting Blake a cup of coffee?”

  “No, it’d be my pleasure. Cream, no sugar, right?” Dina asked.

  “Boy, you have a good memory. Yes.”

  “I’ll be right back.”

  “Thank you, Dina.” Kyra watched Dina leave the office.

  “You have a busy morning according to the newspaper,” Gordon said. Like he was telling her something she didn’t know.

  She spun around and faced him. “We do. Four burials and two cremations today. It’ll probably mean some overtime for the guys.”

  “Why?”

  “It takes time to fill in all those graves and dress them back up.”

  “I thought if you had a time conflict, I could lead in some of the processions.”

  “Thank you, Blake, but we’re good. There’s no time conflict today.” She’d used him before, though she didn’t want him hanging around anymore than he needed to.

  “Which funeral are you attending?” she asked, to change the subject.

  “The Arnold funeral. I didn’t want to go to the church. He was more of an acquaintance than a friend.”

  In my line of work, offering condolences always seemed trivial. Dina walked in with his coffee, saving her from responding.

  “Thank you, Dina. What’s new with you?”

  “Nothing new since last week.”

  “Dina, I’ll have the billing information for you before I head to the first funeral.” Kyra hoped Blake got the message. They weren’t retired, they needed to work. Gordon was one of her allies on the board, so handling him with care was good business. Kyra wanted all the allies she could collect.

  “Blake, why
don’t you come into my office while I get the billing ready for Dina?”

  “I won’t be in your way?”

  Yes. “No, not at all.”

  “I’ll just finish up my coffee and wait for the funeral at the gate.”

  “There’s no reason for you not to wait here.” Oh, please leave.

  “Thanks, I know you’re busy.” He drained his cup in one gulp. “I’ll see you next week. Oh, by the way, I almost stopped in last Friday when I saw your car outside. You worked late.” Caught, oh my God. Staring him down, she almost confessed.

  “I did. I had a late cremation. Why didn’t you stop in?” She smiled, but she felt the floor drop out from under her. The room spun out of control. Light-headed, it took all her control not to reach out to grab her chair. Walking around her desk, she sat down.

  “Something wrong, Kyra?” Gordon looked concerned.

  “No, I didn’t have time to eat this morning. I’m just a little light-headed.” Kyra brushed off his concern.

  “You should eat. Do you want me to get you something?”

  “Thanks, Gordon. I brought something with me. I’ll eat in the car while I wait for the procession.”

  He was a nice guy who’d just lost his wife and was lonely, but she wasn’t a counseling service. Kyra thought he was starting to show interest in her and she wanted to diffuse it before it took flight. He’s younger than the other trustees. Gordon had taken an early retirement package. She figured him to be in his middle fifties—too old for her. Too bad, the guy was loaded and much smarter than the other trustees. Warning to self—be careful around him.

  Kyra rushed in the door with her groceries. Jake would be here in an hour and a half. She needed to get her butt in gear or she wouldn’t have enough time to prepare the meal. She planned on serving more than food tonight. She kicked off her shoes as she walked into the kitchen. Next, off came her jacket. Nervous, she unpacked the groceries. The day was crazy, but she had survived it. The men put in two hours of overtime. Thankful when Dina stayed to help with the paperwork, knowing Kyra had the date with Jake tonight. She was still cutting it close. Steak and potatoes was her choice for dinner—quick and easy, minimal clean-up, leaving plenty of time for…blushing, she took the cake out of the box, choosing a fancy pastel plate with a cover to display it. Voila, homemade. The potatoes washed and in the oven, Kyra headed to the shower. The steaks didn’t have to be put on until Jake got there.