Burn in Hell_A Jake Carrington Mystery Read online

  “Okay, see you there. Lock your door.”

  “Thanks, officer.” She busted his chops.

  Climbing into her car, she watched him walk away laughing. She pulled out of Dina’s parking lot, screaming into the empty car.

  “What the hell are you doing, Kyra? He’s a cop…a cop, for God’s sake. My life is so bizarre. How did I come from talking to…what do I call you, Joe—a hood, a criminal, the mob—to talking to a cop? Not only talking, but going out for a drink with him—stupid move, Kyra.”

  She started laughing then she couldn’t stop crying. She pulled into the parking lot, wiping tears off her face. Pulling down the rear view mirror, she checked her make-up. I don’t look so good, she thought, applying some lipstick. Maybe I should just go home. This is going to cause trouble in the long run. What’s the big deal? It’s only drinks. Maybe if I’m lucky a little sex. I’m over-thinking this.

  A yelp escaped her lips. She jumped when someone knocked on her window. Realizing it was Jake she opened her door and started to climb out.

  “Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you. I thought you saw me pull in.” Jake offered her his hand to help her out of the car.

  “No, I’m sorry. I don’t know why I’m so jumpy. It’s probably this neighborhood,” she lied.

  “Are you crying?” he asked.

  “I told you—nerves. Maybe we should do this some other time?” She couldn’t do this. What was she, nuts? This man’s a cop—a cop for Christ’s sake, the voice screamed in her head.

  “I think you’ll find I’m a good listener, if you need an ear.”

  Oh crap, he’s really a nice guy. Wish I’d met him last week. “Truly, I’m fine. Sometimes the pressures of the job, the divorce, life, get to me. See? Whack-job. Run for your life.” She laughed without humor, trying to scare him off. It didn’t seem to be working.

  “Not running. Do you still want a drink?”

  “Yeah, I guess I do. Let’s go in.” Pretending everything was fine, she grabbed his arm as they walked into the bar.

  *

  Jake knew she wasn’t fine. She’d piqued his curiosity. He needed to learn more about her. Cops had the highest suicide rates for any job. He wondered where hers landed on the scale. Kyra seemed stretched.

  “What do you want to drink?” He pulled out a bar stool for her.

  “A Cosmopolitan sounds good.”

  “Hey Jake, how’s it shaking?” the bartender asked, walking down the bar to them.

  “Good, Pat. How’s the family?”

  “Everyone’s good. Do I get an introduction?”

  “Kyra, Pat Brennan, retired WPD.” Jake introduced them.

  “Kyra, an Irish name. And your surname?”

  “Russell.”

  “Ah, nice, lass. Well, your first drink is on the house in this Italian bar.” He winked.

  “Thanks, Pat. It’s nice to meet you.” Kyra smiled.

  After Pat served them, he moved down the bar, out of earshot. Kyra sipped her drink, not wanting to let it go to her head. Understanding she was too close to the edge to lose control tonight. Alcohol might loosen her tongue. What answer would she give Joe on Thursday? She hadn’t thought of another option she could offer him. They were going to kill her. She knew in her heart she couldn’t—absolutely couldn’t—pick either one of the choices presented to her. Joe had to be crazy to ask. Kyra looked around the bar as if seeing it for the first time. It was only Tuesday night. A quiet night for the place. At the other end of the bar, talking to Pat, sat a man downing shot after shot like prohibition was in effect again. I wonder what troubles he wants to drown? Her next thought—who cares. His problems can’t be bigger than mine.

  “Hey, Kyra, where’d you go?” His hand on her arm brought her back to the conversation.

  “I must have zoned out. Sorry, I missed what you were saying,” she apologized.

  “It wasn’t important.”

  “Really, I’m sorry.” A big guy like him sulking. Who needs this crap? “Jake, I’m sorry. I had a really shitty day.”

  “I asked how you got into your line of work.”

  “Oh, I was the secretary at the cemetery for six years. We built the crematory. I took the course, along with my boss at the time, to be a back-up to him. A year later, he fell down on the job, died on the spot of a massive heart attack. I got the job by default.”

  “Ah, a rags to riches story,” Jake joked.

  “Yeah, ask my creditors, they agree,” she said sarcastically.

  “You’re one tough cookie, Kyra.” He looked at her.

  “Yeah, that’s me. Good or bad?” She looked up at him. The intensity of his gaze unnerved her as he leaned on the bar, his body facing her.

  “I don’t know. I’ll need to do some homework, study the subject.” The grin he flashed her melted her a heart. Who knew a smile could do that.

  “Well, there’ll be an open book test after,” she joked back.

  “I don’t think there’s anything open about you.” Geez, the guy turned from joking to serious on a dime. Give me a fucking break.

  “Instinct or guessing?”

  “A little of both.”

  “Well, shit,” she hissed. He doubled over laughing, Kyra worried he’d fall off his stool.

  “Yeah, I think it’ll be fun getting to know you.”

  She watched him down his drink, continued to sip hers. “Don’t be so sure.”

  She liked him though he seemed as wound up as she was. Job or personal problems…which one, Jake?

  “Would you like another drink?”

  “No, I’m still working on this one.”

  “Why?”

  “Funny… ’cause I’m a cheap drunk. I think I’d like to keep my wits about me tonight.”

  “That’s really no fun.”

  “Trying to take advantage of me, Jake?”

  “No, hoping you’ll take advantage of me.” I’m coming to believe he knows the power of that grin he flashes all the time.

  “It could still happen, the evening’s young.” Giving him her perfect pearly whites, it was time to test her wiles, she raised her glass and saluted him.

  “Ah, a tease.”

  “Absolutely.”

  Kyra discovered they had a lot in common, but she got the feeling Jake was involved with someone else. She worked up the nerve to ask.

  “Jake, are you married or seeing someone?”

  “No, why do you ask?”

  “You give off the vibe.”

  “The vibe?”

  “Sorry, I don’t know how to explain it any other way. Most married men give off a warning signal if you pay attention. You’re sending a strong one.” Kyra shrugged.

  “No, I’m not married. I never have been. But I recently broke up with a woman I’m deeply in love with.” He looked into his glass instead of at her.

  “I’m sorry. Can I ask why?” In his eyes the pain was evident.

  “You can ask. I know I have. I still don’t understand why we’re not together.”

  Difficult situations, at a loss for words, she lifted her drink and sipped, wishing her own problems were relationship-related.

  “I don’t mean to unload on you, Kyra, but I’m still in love with Mia. I thought you should know.”

  “Thanks, Jake. I’m not looking for a relationship. My life’s too complicated right now. I will tell you this—if you really love her, go after her. Fix it. Love doesn’t come around often. If it really is love, go for it.”

  “She doesn’t want to be involved with me. I’m overprotective. Her words, not mine.”

  He looked miserable, what could she say? “I don’t know you, but did you overreact to something to make her think you were?”

  “I can’t talk about it, Kyra. You want another drink?”

  “No, I think I’ll head home. I have an early day tomorrow.” She stood, grabbed her purse from the back of the bar stool. “Thanks for the drink, Jake.”

  “I’d like to see you again.”
>
  Nodding her head yes, he continued.

  “Would you like to go out to dinner Friday night?”

  She reached into her purse, pulled out her business card. “The number on the bottom right’s my cell number. Dinner sounds good. Let me know the time.”

  “Good night,” Jake said.

  “Good night, Jake. Thanks for the drink and the company.” She liked that he didn’t try to kiss her. She waved to Pat, started to leave the bar. “Where are you going?”

  “I’m not letting you walk to your car alone.”

  “Yeah, you might be a little overprotective,” she said, smirking.

  “All part of the service.”

  Together they stopped in front of her car, and she hit the remote. “This is me.”

  He reached around her. He’s going to kiss me after all. Disappointed when Jake only opened the door to let her in. Make up your mind, woman, do you want the kiss or not?

  “Thanks.”

  “You’re welcome. I’ll talk to you tomorrow. We’ll set a time for Friday.”

  “Okay, see ya.” She closed the door, hitting the lock button.

  *

  Jake watched Kyra drive off. Wondering why he wanted to bother to get to know her. She seemed to have issues bubbling under the surface. Oh hell, who was he to judge? He had issues too. Her snarky sense of humor he liked very much. Also, she was pretty. On the plus side, she wasn’t looking for a long term relationship. He didn’t know if he and Mia would ever be able fix what they had. Though in his heart he knew—Mia was the only one. Maybe he wouldn’t call Kyra. Why start something I’m not ready to finish. And, I’m most definitely not going to talk about Mia to her or anyone else. He turned, started walking back to the bar, stopped at the door. Deciding to go home instead, Jake turned around, walked back to his car, climbed in and drove straight home.

  *

  Kyra drove a block from the bar before pulling over to the curb. “Idiot,” she screamed. Slumped over her steering wheel, she hugged it tightly as the tears ran down her face. This wasn’t the part of town a person would want to break down in, never mind pull over. Right this minute, she didn’t care as she struggled to breathe—gasping for air.

  “Oh my God, I can’t breathe.” She choked, grabbing her chest, the sharp pain cutting off her breath. Panicked, she put the car back in gear, drove to the hospital. I’m having a freaking heart attack.

  There before she knew it, Kyra parked the car in the empty lot of the hospital emergency-room parking area. Sitting for a few minutes, she took deep breaths. Disappointed when her breathing went back to normal. “No such luck, Kyra. You’re not getting off that easy.”

  The hospital guard started walking over to her car, she slammed it back in gear and pulled out, turning the car toward home. Definitely don’t want to talk to anyone now. Only ten-thirty, oh well, an early night for a change.

  From the bottom drawer she took out her pajama’s and undressed quickly and hopped into bed. Restless, she got up fifteen minutes later. Scared, she headed into the living room, curled up on the couch with a blanket and grabbed the remote. Surfing through the History and Discovery channels she stopped on the Soap channel. Nothing held her interest for more than a minute. She threw the remote, missing the television by inches.

  A quick search of the kitchen turned up her briefcase. Unzipping the case she grabbed the laptop from inside it, and flipped it open as she walked back into the living room. She intended to do the paperwork for today’s cremations, though she had no ambition. Opening a spreadsheet, she listed all her bills and casino debt in the left column. In the right column she listed her salary, her only income. She’d cashed in her savings bonds, her savings account, and part of her 401K. Tommy’s compassion and forgiveness went away with the last withdrawal from the 401K. He forgave her for the withdrawal from Trevor’s college fund. He explained they could build it up again by the time he was ready for college, but blowing their retirement ended their marriage. Tom was only looking out for his own ass. She should let the judge know exactly what flipped Tommy out.

  No matter how she arranged the numbers, the debt won over the income. It would take her fifty years to pay everything off with interest, even with raises calculated into the equation. Angrily she pushed her computer aside and fell face down on the couch where she did what she’d done all night—she cried.

  Chapter Five

  The next morning, she was pulled from a deep, restless sleep by the sound of the phone ringing so loudly it echoed in her head. Kyra grabbed for it. “Hello,” she squeaked out.

  “Kyra, its Dina, where are you?”

  “Dina?” Disoriented, she reached for her watch.

  “Yeah, you overslept.”

  “What time is it?”

  “Christ Kyra, it’s nine-fifteen. The family is due here in twenty minutes.”

  “I’ll be there. Please serve them some coffee. Dina, thank you so much for calling.”

  Kyra slammed down the phone and ran into her bedroom, grabbing clothes along the way. Once in the bathroom, she threw water on her face. Not bothering with make-up or a shower, she ran out the door twelve minutes later.

  I’ve got to get my act together. Where did the night go? “Oh shit, I forgot my briefcase.”

  She made a U-turn, headed back to her condo. Running up the stairs, her business cellphone rang. Jingling her keys in the door, she snapped, “What?”

  “It’s me again,” Dina said.

  “I’m almost there. I forgot my briefcase and had to turn back,” Kyra said, frustrated.

  “The Marrens called. They’re running fifteen minutes late, I thought I’d let you know.”

  “You’re the best, Dina, thanks.”

  Kyra clicked off and sat on her couch to catch her breath. She went into the kitchen to make a cup of coffee to take with her when she noticed her personal cellphone on the counter where she’d left it the night before. Grabbing her coffee, phone, and briefcase, she headed out to work.

  Lord almighty, I didn’t call Trevor before school today. I’ll have to call after school. I’m sure Tommy will blow it out of proportion. Jesus, it’s only like the second time I forgot.

  Once at the office Kyra had no time to breath. The Marrens arrived ten minutes later. After they signed all the releases, Kyra handed over their father’s ashes. Later she met with the Collette family to explain the cremation process. By noontime, her fingers were itching to go to the casino. Never a clock-watcher until lately, now she continually glanced at the clock. Sitting at her desk, she played online slots to soothe the itch. She immediately lost two hundred dollars at the first site she entered. It never took long to lose. Poof! In six minutes, the money was gone.

  She looked up when she heard a knock on her door. Closing the window on her computer, she called, “Come in.”

  “I’m going to order lunch. Do you want anything?” Dina asked.

  “Yeah, where are you ordering from?”

  “The deli down the street.”

  “Okay, get me a corned beef on rye, mustard only, nothing else,” Kyra stressed.

  She fished around in her purse, panicking when she couldn’t find the money. She knew she’d left the casino with three hundred dollars last night. She kept track of what she put in the machines. She opened every envelope, her change purse, and her wallet. All she found was a twenty. What happened to the rest of the money?

  She handed the twenty to Dina and grabbed a pad, started writing down what she remembered about last night. As she counted up the numbers, her head began to spin. A twenty—crap, how would she make that last until Friday? Today was only Wednesday. She had spent more than she thought last night. Lord, she’d promised Trevor she’d take him out to dinner tonight.

  Pulling her keyboard in front of her, she scrambled online and checked the balances in her checking and savings accounts. Shocked—between the two accounts she only had two hundred dollars to her name. Laying her head on the desk, she cried. Goddamn, the rent on t
he condo’s due this week. Where did all my money go? Checking each withdrawal, she got sicker and sicker when every one of them matched up to a night she’d gone to the casino. Maybe she did need help.

  If she got help, would it save her from having to pick one of the options Joe presented to her yesterday? Dina walked into her office with her lunch. Realizing her predicament, Kyra pushed her lunch aside, her appetite gone.

  “Are you okay?”

  “Ignore me. You know…divorce.” Kyra said, hoping that covered everything.

  “I know. How’d it go last night?”

  Her mind elsewhere, she answered, “Like crap. I can’t believe it.”

  “You didn’t like Jake?” She saw the shock on Dina’s face.

  Walked into that one, she thought—shifted gears. “No, sorry, my mind’s somewhere else. He’s fine. You know, he recently got out of a serious relationship. He’s not over the woman yet.”

  “Yeah, I heard, but I didn’t believe.”

  “Well, believe. He even used the “L” word.”

  “No kidding? Well, it’s about time he’s on the receiving end. Are you going to see him again?”

  “We set up a dinner date for Friday. I don’t know if I’m going to keep it.” Kyra frowned. It would all depend on what happened Thursday night with Joe.

  “What’s the matter?” Dina questioned.

  “I feel funny dating, Dina. I’m not divorced, yet.” The truth of the statement surprised her.

  “Tommy’s not going to change his mind, is he?”

  “No,” Kyra whispered.

  “Oh, I’m sorry honey, let’s change the subject.”

  They finished their lunch. Around three o’clock, Kyra forced herself to call her mother. She wanted to speak with her son. Not up to the grilling her mother would put her through, Kyra hesitated before she called. Suck it up, Kyra, you’re going to have to listen now or later. Better to just get it over with. She banged in their number. Sean & Margo Hannigan, otherwise known as her parents, had cut her off when they found out about the gambling. Each one separately told her they’d give her the money for the lawyer if she’d get help and promise not to set foot into the casino again, but Kyra was unable to comply. She didn’t want to comply, she corrected.