Burn in Hell_A Jake Carrington Mystery Page 27

  “Good enough. Do you know about her gambling?” Tricky subject. Knowing full well he could be sued by Kyra for invading her privacy and using his job to boot for personal gain. What trouble was he causing if Dina didn’t know about her gambling? It needed to be asked, he thought, justifying his phone call.

  “I know. Tom used it as an excuse. Listen Jake, she’s my boss. I like her, but we’re not friends, just friendly. You know what I mean?”

  “Yes, I do. Has she complained about anyone bothering her lately?”

  “No.”

  Dina started to shut down the conversation in the way she answered him. In his gut he knew he better ask the right question before she refused to answer anymore questions.

  “Dina, I’m asking for her protection. Whoever beat him up tonight threw her name and mine into the mix. They said the beating came from us.”

  “Oh, Jake, I’m so sorry.”

  “Not your fault. Do you know about a guy named Phil Lucci?”

  “I don’t know that name, but…there is a Phil who’s been calling her the past several weeks.”

  Ah, getting somewhere now, he thought. “What’s her reaction to his calls, Dina?”

  “Reaction? I’m not really privy to the calls, but the little I can tell you is that she’s pleasant, almost business-like with him, nothing more.”

  “One more question. How many times has he called her in the past several weeks?”

  “I’d say…um, maybe…five times or so.”

  “Thanks, Dina. I’m sorry I woke you up.”

  Jake hung up and thought about Dina’s answers. Five times wasn’t a lot to call a person over several weeks. What did Phil want? Was he trying to convince her to go out with him again? Or was it business? What business? At the base of his neck a headache introduced itself. Jake reached for the aspirin and popped a couple before it put him down.

  All he had were questions and no conclusive answers. The answers he did get only led to more questions. He went in to check his computer, to see if his search produced anything concrete. With the search still running, Jake decided it was time for bed.

  An hour later, he was up and pacing his living room. His thoughts were going in all directions. His mind wouldn’t rest. Sleep wasn’t in his near future. Though he tried to push away the most disturbing thought. It was the one that seemed the most plausible. If it was business—Kyra and Phil’s relationship—it had to be her job. What could she do for him? Cemetery? Crematory?

  Oh, Christ! It couldn’t be.

  He slept with her. He even started to care deeply for her. Could she be disposing of bodies for Phil Lucci? He needed to think. Who did he know at the state level who could audit her records? How else could he prove it, if it was true? Did Dina know about this? Did Stack know too much? Was that why they eliminated him? No. That didn’t fit. He believed Kyra when she said she didn’t know him.

  Was she an accomplished liar? A sociopath? He couldn’t explain the workings of his mind or how he got to that answer. It always clicked in like that on a case. Things played in the back of his mind, until they threw out the direction or an answer.

  Around seven his cellphone rang. “Hello?”

  His back ached. He’d fallen asleep in the recliner sometime around four. Pushing forward, he stood.

  “Jake, Byron Gates here, you called?”

  “Byron, thanks for getting back to me so soon. Who audits the cemeteries around the state?”

  “That would be my department. The State Health Department. You didn’t find a problem, did you? After that scandal last year, we’re right on top of things now.”

  “No, don’t worry, Byron, nothing like that. Can we meet for lunch today? I’ll explain everything I need when we meet up.”

  “Sure, you name the place. I’m in Southbury today.”

  Jake hung up. Soon he’d know if she falsified records. Christ, if she did, this could affect his career. If nothing else, it would make him a patsy and ruin his creditability. As he headed into his bathroom to shower, his phone rang again.

  “What’s up, Louie?”

  “I caught one. Do you want me to pick you up?”

  “No, you’re lead on this one. I’ll be tied up with IA this morning.”

  “Stack?”

  “No, me.”

  “You? What the—”

  Jake cut him off. “Kyra’s ex got beat up last night and Miller’s division caught the case. Supposedly, the attacker said it came from me.”

  “That’s bullshit, Jake. Miller’s an asshole.”

  “I know that, and you know that, but I have to go through the motions. I’ll see you after lunch.”

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  Kyra didn’t sleep well. Up, she decided to head into the office early. Two burials yesterday and one today created a lot of paperwork. She needed to update the files and record the permits. Outside of the cremation tomorrow, the rest of the week looked pretty quiet. She understood that, at the close of the day, her career would end and knew it would be difficult to find work in this field again without recommendations. Kyra had trained Dina to do cremations, but she didn’t like it. Kyra hadn’t pushed her, now she was sorry for that. She didn’t like leaving them in the lurch, but Trevor came first. Who was she kidding? She was doing this to protect herself.

  “Hey, you’re here early.” She jumped at Dina’s voice.

  “Morning. I’m trying to catch up on the paperwork. You’re early, too, what gives?”

  “I heard Tom got beat up last night. Are you okay?”

  “How’d you hear that? Is it in the paper already?” Kyra’s voice squeaked.

  “No, Jake called me last night.”

  “Jake?” This couldn’t be good. Her pulse quickened, her mouth went dry. Kyra thought Jake believed her.

  “Yeah. He asked a lot of strange questions. Kyra, are you all right? Sit.” Dina helped her into her chair.

  “I’m fine. What kind of questions.”

  While Dina relayed the conversation she had with Jake the night before, Kyra’s mind calculated Jake’s reasons and determined she needed to leave right away and pull Trevor from school early. Why didn’t things ever go as planned?

  With the Bargain News in her hand, Kyra contacted the number in the ad and made an appointment to look at a car at lunchtime. It was a 2008 Audi A4. It would suit her needs. She hoped there was nothing wrong with the car because it was going cross-country today.

  *

  Jake walked into the Internal Affairs division and looked around. You’d think you were in a corporate office, the way it was decorated. The secretary took his name before he sat in the far corner facing both the hallway and the door. Picking up a magazine, he thumbed through it, not really seeing the pages. After twenty minutes, a lieutenant came out and Jake was surprised. He knew him. In fact, Frank Rinaldi had worked cases with him before Rinaldi transferred to IA.

  “Jake, I’ll be handling this interview. Good to see you again. Please follow me.”

  Once inside the lieutenant’s office, Jake took the seat in front of the desk while the lieutenant sat beside Jake, instead of in his office chair. Jake didn’t have to wait long to find out what was going on.

  “Jake, Sergeant Miller filed this complaint. I’m here to tell you that your captain has already called to express his opinion in this matter. As you know, every complaint, no matter who files it, must be investigated.”

  “I understand,” Jake said.

  “Good. I interviewed the victim last night and although he doesn’t like you, he couldn’t see you doing something like this. Furthermore, I interviewed his soon-to-be ex-wife. She also appears to be innocent of this. The only thing we have here are allegations and no proof. You do date Mrs. Russell, correct?”

  “Yes.”

  “You were also the one to file charges against Mr. Russell for the attempted rape of Mrs. Russell.”

  “No, Mrs. Russell filed charges. I was there at the time of the attempted rape and subdued th
e attacker, who turned out to be her estranged husband. I called for the uniforms, convinced Mrs. Russell to file charges. Mr. Russell was turned over to the uniforms that arrived on the scene after I called for a wagon.”

  “How did you feel about Mr. Russell attempting to rape your girlfriend?”

  “The same way I’d feel about any man attempting to rape any woman. I feel he should be locked up. Men like that are cowards.”

  “It angers you?” Jake knew he was being baited.

  “Yes, that’s why I subdued him and called for backup.”

  “Jake, what are your long range plans with Mrs. Russell?”

  “What does that have to do with anything?” Jake tapped his fingers on his legs.

  “Answer my question, Lieutenant.”

  “As of next Monday, Mrs. Russell and I will not be dating.”

  “Why is that?”

  “It’s personal.”

  “Nothing in an IA investigation is personal, Lieutenant.” Again, with my rank. Rinaldi’s putting me in my place.

  “I’m going to resume a previous relationship. Mrs. Russell and I discussed this when we first started dating.”

  “You discussed a time limit on your relationship?”

  “No.” Jake ran a hand through his hair. “We discussed how I was in love with another woman. How it ended abruptly.”

  “I see.”

  Jake didn’t fill the silence. He waited Rinaldi out. Where the hell were these questions leading?

  “Do you have anything else to add to your statement, Jake?”

  “That’s it?” Tread carefully here. What’s Rinaldi up to?

  “Yes. Sergeant Miller was out of line filing this claim before his investigation was complete and without any evidence but hearsay. IA agrees with your captain. Now, Captain McGuire said you had a delicate matter to discuss with Internal Affairs?”

  “A Detective Carl Stack—is he or was he under investigation by this department?”

  “I can’t reveal that, Lieutenant.”

  “Stack is dead, and my investigation into his death is leading me to some strange places.” It’s not the time to give too much away, Jake decided.

  “Such as?”

  “See, I don’t want to put a black mark against a man’s name until I’m sure. His death is being investigated by the state police. It happened in their territory.”

  “And you’re involved, because?”

  “Because I’m running the Missing Persons department right now and one of his cases doesn’t hold together.” Jake watched Rinaldi process the information.

  “Yes, we were investigating him. He lives, I mean lived, above his means and always refused to work with a partner for the last couple of years.”

  “And?” It was like pulling teeth. Jake quirked his right eyebrow.

  “And it looks like he associated with known criminals.”

  “Can I get names?”

  “No. You have to follow your investigation. When you’re further along, we’ll compare notes.”

  Jake stood, reached out his hand, took Rinaldi’s in his.

  “I’ll let you know, if and when. One other thing, did the name Phil Lucci come up in your investigation?”

  Jake almost laughed. Rinaldi answered his question without answering his question. Thank you, Frank.

  On the way back to his office, Jake checked his watch and contacted Louie. Not bad. IA only detained him for an hour. Rinaldi could have gone at him harder. This told him that they didn’t take Miller’s complaint seriously, but they needed to go through the motions. His respect for Internal Affairs just increased.

  “Are you still at the scene?” Jake asked before Louie could ask any questions.

  “Yep.”

  “Address?”

  Jake wrote it down then headed out. He wasn’t needed at the scene, but he was too antsy to sit at his desk this morning. And truth be told, he needed Louie. Stupid as that sounded, even to him, Louie had been his rock his whole life. Plus, Louie’s mind worked out things others missed. Jake wanted to bounce some stuff off him.

  As he pulled up to the scene, his gaze roamed the area, taking in the bystanders. The lookie-loos, he thought. What did they get out of staring at cops going in and out of a building, he wondered? Were they trying to get a glimpse of a dead body? Sick. He pulled his jacket back to expose his shield as he pulled the crime scene tape up, and walked under it.

  “Sergeant Romanelli?” he asked the uniform on the front door.

  “He’s in the back bedroom with the body, Lieutenant.” Jake nodded, continued walking.

  He stopped in the doorway, scanning the room until his eyes focused on the victim. He liked to study the scene before anyone gave him the information pertaining to the crime. The body always told its own story. Jake saw a Caucasian woman. Probably in her twenties, blond hair, brown eyes, five-five, one hundred twenty pounds. Manner of dress was suggestive, not slutty. Her dress was pulled up around her waist, and her panties lay over by the bed, like they were thrown. She was entertaining someone or had plans to entertain. Her throat had been slit. She’d been dead awhile, he thought. The eyes were already filming over. A pretty girl in life, judging from the pictures he saw around her apartment. Death still showed some of that beauty, but in a creepy way. Louie walked over to him.

  “Meet Miss Ellen Laurel,” Louie said and gave Jake the run-down.

  “Any suspects or witnesses?”

  “Nary a one.”

  “Nary? Seriously?” Jake shook his head. “Who found her?”

  “Her best friend, Cindy Kalen. She said Ellen didn’t go into work today or answer her phone. At first she figured the date lasted longer than expected. The thing is this girl always answered her phone. That’s what had her friend so worried.”

  “Do you think you’ll be done by one?”

  “Yeah, you want to grab lunch?”

  “I have a lunch date, but I want to bounce some stuff off you…”

  Louie gave him the eye. “Okay, I’ll look you up when I’m back. Want to give me a heads-up?”

  “Not here.”

  Jake left and headed back to the station. It was only ten-thirty. The day promised to be a long one. As he pulled into the station’s underground garage, his cellphone rang. Looking down, he saw it was one of the snitches he’d called last night.

  “Yo, Lieutenant.”

  “Yo, back at you, Dickieboy.”

  “Ya know I hate that nickname, Lieutenant.”

  “I know. What have you got for me?”

  “Stack was a weasel, man. He’d come down here to score. If you wanted to get paid for your product he’d threaten to lock you up on trumped-up charges. You ask me, he got what he deserved.”

  “I didn’t ask you. Why didn’t someone work him over, if he was stealing from you he had to be hitting on others. Right?”

  “Because he was protected.”

  “By whom?”

  “Come on, Lieutenant, you wanna get me dead?”

  “No, I don’t, Dickie…Give me something.”

  “You know how I love that show about the mob on HBO, The Sopranos?”

  Interesting, Jake thought, and the evidence mounts. “Yeah. You know how long Stack was watching that show?”

  “Gotta be a few years now.”

  “How long was Stack using?”

  “I don’t know. At first, I think it was for his girlfriend.”

  “How long?”

  “A year or so. You got my cash?”

  “I’ll be around to pay you, Dick. Oh, one more thing. Do you know the name Phil Lucci?”

  Jake checked his phone. He thought he’d lost the connection. “Dick?”

  “I think he and Stack were friends.”

  Jake hung up, added the conversation notes to his file.

  Chapter Thirty-Five

  Jake wrote up the timeline on his investigation into Stack’s death. After reviewing the facts, he called Trooper Sergeant Cale MacDermid.

 
“Cale, Jake Carrington here,” he said when Cale picked up.

  “Jake, what can I do for you today?”

  “It’s a courtesy call, Cale. I’m requesting a warrant to search Stack’s condo.”

  “We already searched and shared the information with you. What’s up?”

  “I know, thanks. I’m searching for information on the missing person he was investigating. I also requested a warrant for Stack’s home and cellphones. Did you get that far?”

  “I haven’t requested them yet. Are you going to share, Jake?”

  “Yes. I’m looking for one number in particular.”

  “Okay. You know we took some stuff into evidence. I have several half-filled out forms on a missing person. A Saul Church.”

  “That’s the case I’m investigating.”

  “That so? Well, I’ll fax you copies. Give me your number.”

  Jake hung up and processed his warrants, not only for the phone records and Stack’s apartment; he added his financials to the mix also. As soon as the warrants came through, he called Joe Green and Louie to his office.

  “Louie, I’m taking Joe with me to search Stack’s apartment. You I want on the phone company. I want those records yesterday. Also, start the bank requests…check offshore accounts too.”

  “Got it,” Louie replied.

  Jake and Green tossed Stack’s apartment. It was messy to begin with, so their disturbance hardly showed. The state troopers did a thorough job, Jake thought. Stack liked his alcohol. His fridge was stocked with beer, vodka, and very little food. His sink was full of dirty dishes and his desk held a pile of unopened bills. Jake looked around and started pulling drawers from the desk while Green worked the bedroom. If there was one thing constant about police work, it was the tediousness of it. You talked to people, you searched records, you banged you head against a wall…and then, if you were lucky, you’d find something that led you to more answers and eventually an arrest. Frustrated, they found nothing.

  “Joe, come here. Help me turn this dresser over.”

  “Sure, Lieutenant. What exactly are you looking for?”

  Shrugging, he said, “I’ll know when I find it.”