One Murder Too Many Read online

  Kari purposely looked down at her shoes, then shot him a snide look. ‘I hope the stuff you were shoveling to that girl doesn’t stick to my new shoes.’

  Before Jason could respond, Kari glanced Gloria’s direction. The simper froze on her lips. Gloria had spotted her and was studying her with a hateful glare.

  ‘Uh-oh, we’ve been seen,’ she murmured to Jason.

  ‘That didn’t take long.’

  Kari figured it was better to acknowledge Gloria than ignore her. She forced a smile of recognition and raised a hand to wave at her. Her husband was average looking, with a few extra pounds and thinning hair. She could not discern much from a single glance, but he looked tired and … beaten down was the notion that came to mind. He reminded her of someone who had been reprimanded and had accepted his fate. Gloria acknowledged her wave with a simple nod of her head and Kari purposely turned away, as if completely absorbed in her own conversation with Jason.

  ‘That woman must have eyes like an eagle. We didn’t even get seated before she saw us.’

  Jason didn’t look in their direction, but stated, ‘In the investigative field one learns that a guilty person is always more observant than an innocent one.’ He smiled, as if they were discussing some trifle. ‘Why should the DA be concerned about you seeing her with her husband?’

  Kari forced a laugh, as if Jason had said something funny. ‘I have no idea.’

  ‘Will her knowing you are here change what you hoped to learn?’

  Kari shook her head. ‘I’m not sure. I wanted to see how Gloria behaved, how she interacted with her husband.’

  ‘Because we suspect that she and one of her DDAs is having an affair?’

  ‘You’re the one who pointed it out to me – the touching, how comfortable they were while working side by side. They seemed more than co-workers.’

  ‘Ignore the DA for now,’ Jason advised, carefully adjusting his suit jacket to hide the bulge of his concealed weapon. He picked up a menu and proposed, ‘Let’s order and behave normally. If we are discreet, we might yet observe if the two of them are getting on.’

  Kari put her attention on the list of entrées. It was a complicated situation, and she had no idea what Gloria could possibly have to do with anything. Even if she were having a fling with her DDA, what did that prove? What possible connection could her personal indiscretion have to do with the way she had interrogated Kari? Was her intensity due to her eagerness to solve the death of Judge Westmoreland’s son, or did the woman think Kari knew something that could be detrimental to her personally?

  The two Lobo gang members were not seriously injured, but both of them were unnerved by their encounter. The paramedics were on the scene and one Lobo had a bandage wrapped about the calf of his leg. The boys’ street names were Neon and Gabrio.

  ‘So how did this come to a shooting?’ Grady asked the pair. ‘What were you two up to?’

  ‘We was looking for the guy who wasted Hector,’ Neon replied. ‘Word around the ’hood was there were a couple of Brazilian dudes doing some big time dealing ‘round town. We figured something heavy was going down and come for a look.’

  ‘True that,’ Gabrio confirmed. ‘We showed up and them dudes began to bust caps at us!’

  ‘Gabe and me booked,’ Neon said. ‘But they hit him in the leg, so I stopped to help him. Them thug-nasty dudes kept tossing bullets so we made like a couple of groundhogs and burrowed for cover.’

  ‘How bad are you injured?’ Grady asked the wounded man.

  ‘Bled some, but I been hit worse.’

  ‘You two never saw these guys before?’

  Neon answered, ‘Sum Nervous Nellies they was, banging away at us afore we even got close. They was fo’ sho’ into something sketchy.’

  ‘Could have been the monthly drug shipment from the Colombian cartel?’ Grady suggested.

  ‘Another witness saw two dark colored SUVs parked on the circle drive,’ a uniform, who had been first on the scene, told Grady. ‘Both vehicles were gone by the time the gunfire died down.’

  Hampton grunted. ‘It plays out these two Lobos happened along about the time the transaction was taking place and those characters got spooked.’

  ‘How many shots were fired?’ Grady asked the pair.

  ‘More than Gabe and me could count!’ Neon replied.

  ‘All right,’ Hampton told the uniform. ‘We’ve got all we’re going to get from these two. Have them transported to the hospital. Then see if there is any surveillance cameras in the area.’

  ‘It’s already being checked out,’ the cop replied.

  Hampton waited until the two Lobos were taken away by ambulance before patting Grady on the shoulder.

  ‘Sorry about calling you out on this. I could have handled it alone.’

  ‘You didn’t have any information. This was a shooting – a drug deal gone wrong, an escalation of a gang war or worse – you couldn’t have known.’

  ‘I have to wonder if it was the cartel,’ Hampton said. ‘This is pretty public for an exchange.’

  ‘It’s possible they think it was necessary. Underwood may have them running scared.’

  ‘You and I know she hasn’t found anything concrete.’

  ‘That isn’t the point, Ham. They only have to believe she knows something. It would have been enough to have them change their normal delivery.’

  ‘Ke-ripes, Grady!’ Ham declared. ‘If they start thinking our star reporter actually does know something….’ He didn’t have to finish.

  ‘We ought to alert the Brit,’ said Grady. ‘If anything hinky should happen, he would be able to deal with it.’ He thought about it for a moment. ‘Maybe we ought to put a team to watch them.’

  Hampton did not agree. ‘If we did that, it would be like confirming the suspicion that Underwood does know something. It would invite some kind of attack.’

  ‘I’m beginning to wonder if the sniper who shot at Miss Underwood intended it as a warning, or did the sun’s reflection off of her windshield ruin his aim?’ Grady didn’t wait for an answer, but continued. ‘And what if the prowler went to her apartment intending to kill her?’

  ‘Only one prowler and only one shooter?’ Hampton posed the question. ‘That doesn’t have the marks of a hit squad from a drug cartel.’ He heaved a sigh. ‘No, I think there’s something else going on.’

  ‘Yeah, but what?’

  ‘No idea,’ Hampton admitted. Then back to Kari, ‘You got the Brit’s cell number?’

  ‘He calls it a mo-bile,’ Grady drawled. ‘But, yeah, I’ll give him a heads-up about this.’

  ‘Right. We’ll check with the captain tomorrow and get his thoughts on how he wants to proceed.’

  Jason had begun another challenging night of sleeping on Kari’s sofa, but the phone rang as he was trying to find a comfortable position.

  Kari picked up the extension in her bedroom but he couldn’t make out what was said. A moment later, the kitchen light switched on and Kari entered the room.

  Jason stared, agog at the sight. Kari was clad in a short, pink-with-white-lace negligée. With the light behind her, the outfit was mildly translucent, revealing the feminine contours of her body. She didn’t appear to notice his being dumbstruck as she glided across the room, to stop in front of him.

  ‘It’s for you,’ she informed him, unable to hide her curiosity. ‘It’s Detective Grady.’

  Jason sat up and, summoning an extraordinary amount of self control, managed enough chivalry to raise his gaze to look Kari in the face. ‘He’s calling me?’

  ‘He said he tried your cell but it was not turned on.’

  Jason rose to his feet, feeling quite exposed himself, clad in only a T-shirt and boxers. He moved quickly over to pick up the living room receiver. ‘This is Jason Keane.’

  He listened intently to Grady and said only a word or two in reply. Then he replaced the unit on the telephone set. He glanced at Kari, once again unable to prevent his eyes from lingering on the inviting l
ingerie and her shapely bare legs. Instead of embarrassment, she gave him an impatient look, raised expectant eyebrows and asked, ‘Well?’

  ‘Uh, there was a shooting at a place called Liberty Park. Grady thought it might be an interrupted drug deal. A couple of the 39th Street Lobos showed up and were driven off by gunfire. One of the Lobos was injured, but it was only a slight leg wound.’

  ‘Why call you?’

  ‘He thought I might be more forthcoming than you about anything you had learned about the cartel.’

  Kari’s displayed a tight little frown. ‘The detectives think you would tell them something I wouldn’t?’ She scrutinized him for a long moment, undoubtedly thinking he had not told her everything. ‘Why would you do that?’

  ‘Professional courtesy, I suppose.’

  ‘What else did he say?’

  ‘Only that I should continue to look after you.’ Jason granted her a portion of the truth.

  Kari was unconvinced but let the matter drop. ‘Scott will be upset if I don’t try and get the information on the shooting tonight.’

  ‘Grady said there would be no formal statement until the morning briefing. You couldn’t put much of a story together if you tried.’

  Kari crossed her arms, as if suddenly aware of her skimpy outfit. However, the next words she spoke were critical in a way Jason was not expecting.

  ‘You can’t keep trying to sleep on that loveseat. I don’t know how you manage to get any rest at all.’

  Jason swallowed against a rise of desire. It was impossible to ignore the physical attraction he felt or dismiss the radiance of Kari’s beauty, especially when she was decorated like a model for a men’s magazine. When she stepped over next to him, he detected the scent of her perfume and was overcome by her nearness. He reached out and corralled her in his arms.

  ‘You know, every man has his breaking point.’ The words came out husky and impassioned. ‘Being this close is not a wise decision, not with you dressed as you are.’

  Kari teased his lips with a fleeting kiss and an impish mischievousness danced in her eyes. ‘Don’t tell me your English cast-iron will is weakening?’

  ‘Melted like my heart whenever I’m around you.’

  She matched his desire with a cool sincerity. ‘We might live worlds apart, Jason, but I want us to be together.’ Her voice softened to a gentle murmur. ‘I want to share my love with you. If we only have each other for a few weeks a year, I’m willing to settle for that.’

  ‘I don’t know if I can,’ he replied candidly. ‘If I make love to you, I will want you by my side for ever.’

  Rather than continuing an irresoluble debate, Kari retreated a step from his embrace and turned toward the bedroom. Taking his hand in her own, she gave a slight tug. Jason was helpless to do anything but follow.

  When the morning light first peeked through the bedroom curtains, Kari was still lying in his arms. Jason was awake long before she stirred but waited until she opened her eyes to change positions.

  ‘I’ve got to get to work,’ she whispered, rising playfully up to nip his ear. ‘That story from last night will have to be written. I’ll also have to attend the briefing from the chief of police.’

  ‘I’ll drop you at work and visit our favorite detectives. Maybe I can pick up something extra for you to add to your article.’

  ‘That’s very thoughtful of you, Jason. I only wish we didn’t spend so much of our time together chasing stories.’

  ‘It can’t be helped,’ he said.

  Kari rose up onto her elbows and kissed him. ‘I wish you could stay here with me.’

  Jason pulled her to him and held her tightly in his arms. ‘And I wish I could take you home with me.’

  Kari hesitated before she inquired: ‘Could you possibly stay? I mean, if we were to get married, you would be eligible for citizenship in two years. You could start a new life over here.’

  ‘I have a job to do back home,’ he countered. ‘I worked hard to make detective inspector and am in line for chief inspector. It’s a job I’m good at.’

  ‘Would you have to start over here?’ she asked. ‘You’ve proved your worth to the local detectives. Maybe you wouldn’t have to wait very long to move up in our law enforcement.’

  ‘There is always a chain of organization in place. I might be given some benefit for my experience, but there would be a lot of men ahead of me for any future promotions. I have no desire to return to being a uniform police officer again.’

  Kari pursed her lips in thought. ‘I could give up my job and go with you?’

  Jason smiled. ‘I know how hard you’ve worked to get where you are now. Not knowing how anything works in my country, and being an American, you would be lucky to land a position posting death notices with one of our news agencies.’

  He ducked his head, filled with desire, yet conflicted by the hopelessness of their relationship. ‘I knew I shouldn’t have taken this step. Leaving you is going to be the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life.’

  ‘Love will find a way, Jason,’ Kari said softly. ‘Somehow, we’ll make this work.’

  ‘Take your shower and get ready for work,’ Jason said. ‘I’ll put on tea and prepare some eggs, ham and waffles for breakfast.’

  Kari kissed him and cast him a longing look. ‘About the time I have you broke in to cater to my every whim, you’ll up and go back to England. Life can be very cruel sometimes.’

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  DEE WALKED BY Kari’s cubicle to say good morning. Even before Kari managed a greeting, the woman swooped in and stood over her, scrutinizing her with a hawkish stare.

  ‘Do I see …?’ She eyed Kari as if studying a lab slide under a microscope. ‘Did you and the Brit …?’ A closer, more intense peruse brought a flush to Kari’s cheeks – ‘You did!’ she cried.

  ‘Dee!’ Kari scolded her. ‘For heaven’s sake!’

  But Dee was as gleeful as if she had just won the lottery. ‘Hallelujah!’ she cheered. ‘It’s about time.’ Then she leaned over and hugged Kari. ‘I was so worried that you and Jason, that the two of you … that he would break your heart.’

  ‘Goodness, Dee!’ Kari sputtered. ‘You’ve totally lost your mind!’

  Dee let go of her but continued to hover. ‘So?’ she asked.

  ‘So what?’

  ‘You know what!’ she insisted. ‘Are you compatible? Did you feel the earth move? Bells ring? Birds sing?’

  ‘Did you ever suffer from vertigo or tinnitus from making love to your husband?’ Kari retorted bluntly.

  Dee simmered a few degrees. ‘No, but one time a cop with a flashlight did cause my heart to about leap out of my chest!’

  ‘You’re hopeless.’

  ‘OK, OK,’ she giggled. ‘I’m just happy you finally got him to commit. I was beginning to worry.’ She shook her head. ‘You know, loving someone you only see a few weeks a year is hard enough. But to not enjoy each other fully during the actual time you have … well, it’s … it’s unhealthy, both physically and for your morale.’

  ‘I’m sure there are psychiatrists who agree with you.’ Kari smirked. ‘And I’m equally sure they would have a great time studying your brain. Its unique workings are like nothing I’ve ever heard of before.’

  Dee grinned, ‘You mean because of my sharp wit and keen insight when it comes to personal relations?’

  ‘That’s a nice way of saying you’re nosy and dirty-minded.’

  Their teasing came to an abrupt end when a young lad, Tommy, from the mailroom, approached and stopped at Kari’s work station.

  ‘Here’s something strange for you, Miss Underwood,’ he said. ‘Maybe you’ve got an admirer?’

  Kari accepted an envelope with only her name scribbled on the outside. Tommy left, but Dee stood and waited for her to open the unusual piece of mail. Inside was an anonymous note. There was no return address and no signature. She quickly read it aloud.

  Miss Underwood:

  Everyone has assume
d that Dom and Juno were killed because of something to do with drugs. I suggest you consider this might have been about blackmail and one of our DDAs.

  A concerned citizen.

  ‘Here we go again!’ Dee was breathless. ‘What is it about you, kiddo? Do you have to attract every nut in the valley?’

  Kari reread it a second time and felt gooseflesh rise along her arms and down her back. Her stomach roiled with an inner rush of nerves and she discovered her hands were trembling.

  ‘I’ve got to speak to Scott,’ she told Dee.

  ‘I’ll catch up with you later,’ Dee said. ‘Don’t you get into anything that will get you shot at again!’

  As Dee left the cubicle Kari picked up her phone and punched the button for the editor’s office. He came on the line a few seconds later and she explained about the anonymous letter.

  ‘What’s your take on this?’ Scott asked.

  ‘It would support a feeling I’ve had.’ Kari told him about Gloria’s aggressive interrogations. ‘And it would explain why she was so concerned that Dom and Juno might have told me or given me something.’

  ‘You think Gloria might know about the blackmail?’

  ‘It’s possible. Her office might be quietly looking into something that we know nothing about.’

  ‘But the note clearly states one of the deputy district attorneys was involved. It doesn’t mention her personally, does it?’

  ‘No. It’s exactly as I read it to you,’ Kari concurred. ‘However, it does fit the missing electronic gadgets and search of the boys house. It’s possible someone learned about the blackmail and wanted to acquire the material and use it for a reason of their own.’

  ‘That’s possible. Talk to Jason and see what he thinks,’ Scott suggested. ‘We can’t do much with a single piece of unsubstantiated information, but he might have an idea as to how to handle this.’

  ‘I’ll get hold of him right away.’

  ‘We released a preliminary article on the shooting in the park last night. You go ahead and run with this new information. I’ll have Charise cover the briefing.’