Homicide! (Parker & Knight Book 2) (7 page)

“So, how is the case going?”

“Ah, things are a mess, but we’re hoping to uncover the truth soon.”

“I thought that man, Umbria, was your main suspect.”

“He still is, but there’s been a complication,”

“But you’ll still solve it, I know you will.”

“Thanks for the vote of confidence. Are you working tomorrow?”

“Yeah, the evening shift, but I called earlier and they said that business is dead; it’ll just be me and one other girl.” 

“I’ll stop by there for dinner,”

“All right, and Rick?”

“Yeah?”

“Solve this case; I want to be able to do more than talk on the phone.”

“We’ll solve it; we’ve only begun to put on the pressure.”

***

H
ours later, Nico applied a little pressure of his own, as he walked about the circumference of
Taggart’s
with a five gallon can of gasoline.

When he was done, he strolled off into the woods, where he dumped the empty can behind a tree; he then took off his gloves and walked back to his car.

***

T
aggart’s
began serving food at eleven each day, however, long before the cooks arrived, there were workers on site doing prep work, such as peeling potatoes and refilling supplies.

Sal Venno arrived earlier than anyone, including the man who delivered the day’s bread from the local bakery. He had been at
Taggart’s
for many years, and other than a change in the weather, one day at work was much the same as another.

Today would be different.

As soon as Sal rode his bike into the parking lot, he smelled the fumes and braked to a stop.

After looking around, he walked to the building and saw Nico’s handiwork. Knowing that one spark could set the building aflame, he took out his cell phone and called the fire department, then, he rode his bike back to the edge of the driveway, where he made another call, this one was to his boss, Patrick Taggart.

***

A
n hour later, Parker and Knight stood beside Taggart as they watched the fire department spray down the building.

“I don’t understand why someone went to all that trouble but didn’t light it.” Taggart said.

“It’s because it’s cheaper to renovate than to rebuild,” Parker said.

“You think Tim Hearn is behind this, don’t you?”

“Absolutely,”

“So does my grandfather. He called Hearn and asked for a meeting.”

That news surprised both Parker and Knight.

“He’s willing to give in to him and sell?” Jo said.

“I don’t know. I do know that I would sell. I can’t stand the thought of anyone else being hurt, and look at this, what if this had happened during business hours.”

Parker had been thinking that same thought.

“Mr. Taggart, when and where is this meeting between Hearn and your grandfather taking place?”

“At eight p.m., at the house,”

They watched the fire department finish up their work, and then the fire chief walked over and told Taggart that the building was safe again, but cautioned that ideally, the wooden steps and latticework should be replaced.

Taggart thanked him and headed toward the front door.

Parker called to him, and pointed out the police car that was keeping watch.

“There will be someone here night and day for the time being.”

“Thank you, but I’m just going inside to call everyone and tell them to stay home. Safe or not, I’m not opening our doors again until things are settled.”

“And you think this meeting will settle things?”

“My grandfather thinks so,” Patrick said, and then he went inside.

“Things are getting out of hand.” Jo said.

“I’m going to speak with Rachel. If she knows anything, maybe I can get her to talk.”

“Do you want me along?”

“No, I think it would be best if I talk to her alone.”

“All right, and good luck,”

“Thanks, I’ll need it.”

***

T
imothy Hearn heard the knock at his back door and found Nico standing there.

“What the hell did you do now?”

Nico smiled. “That’s how you say good morning?”

“I’m serious. Old man Taggart called me and said he wants a meeting at his house. He said that my latest ‘stunt’ crossed the line. What was he talking about?”

“I doused the building in gasoline.”

Hearn’s face went white.

“You burned down the building?”

“No, I just soaked its base in gasoline, but it got the message across. By the way, I was here last night. The two of us played cards until dawn.”

“You want me to alibi you again?”

Nico smiled and slapped Hearn lightly on the cheek.

“We’re in this together, Timmy, now tell me, what time is the meeting?”

“It’s at eight,”

“I’ll go in your place.”

“You’ll go?”

“I’m sure I can get a lower sale price than you can, and the less you pay for the bar, the more you’ll have left to pay me.”

“What if the police have bugged the place?”

“Let them. I’ll admit to nothing and only name a figure. Either the old man accepts the deal or he gets more grief.”

Hearn walked about in a circle with his hands pressed against the side of his head,

“I should have never gotten involved with you.”

“This is just the beginning, Timmy, in a few years we’ll own this town.”

Hearn dropped into a chair and sighed.

Out in the hallway, Rachel turned and slowly eased back up the stairs. When she reached the top, she heard the back door open and close. She rushed to the bedroom window and saw Nico climbing over the rear fence.

Her phone rang. When she checked the caller ID, her eyes widened in surprise, even as her lips spread in a smile.

“Hello Rick,”

“Good morning, Rachel,”

“To what do I owe this call?”

“I need to talk to you. Can we meet this morning?”

“Sure, I’m on second shift today, so why don’t I come over and make you breakfast?”

“No, I’m already out and about, but I could meet you at the Main Street Diner.”

“All right, I’ll be there in an hour, and Rick?”

“Yeah?”

“I’ve missed you.”

“I just want to talk, Rachel.”

“Whatever you say,”

***

P
arker made it to the diner first and snagged a booth in a back corner.

When Rachel arrived, he felt his heart speed up as he watched her walk his way. She was a beautiful woman and a part of him still loved her.

When she reached him, she leaned over and gave him a quick kiss.

“I’m so glad you called.”

“You may not be when you hear the reason.”

A waitress came over. She was pretty, but Parker thought her smile looked tentative, as if she could sense his distress over this meeting. After he and Rachel had both ordered only coffee, the girl returned swiftly with their cups and then disappeared.

Rachel pushed her cup aside and smiled seductively.

“Why don’t we go back to the house? You know you want to.”

“Stop it. This is not about us. I’ve come here to warn you.”

The smile left Rachel’s face.

“Warn me about what?”

“Nico Umbria is not someone you want to tie yourself to, Jo and I are certain that he killed Charles Woolley, and he’s also behind the trouble at
Taggart’s
.

“Jo and you are certain? Jo and you do more than work together, don’t you?”

“What?”

“I met her yesterday; and yes, she’s beautiful, but I bet she doesn’t move you like I do. Take me home, Rick, and I’ll make you forget all about that partner of yours.”

Parker hung his head and closed his eyes, as he tried to keep his anger in check.

“Joanna Knight and I are not sleeping together; she’s my partner on the job, and a friend.”

Rachel studied him.

“I believe you.”

“Good, now, back to Nico, we know why Hearn is offering him an alibi, the two of them are working together to buy
Taggart’s
cheaply, but there’s no reason why you should let them drag you into this thing. Come back to the station with me and make a statement.”

“What was the name of the girl who came to the hospital with you the other day?”

“Her name is Heather, but now listen to me, we will question you eventually and it’s much better if you come in yourself. We’ll find out the truth anyway. If you lie to protect Hearn or Nico it will not end well, and then there won’t be anything I can do to help you.”

Rachel stared at him, as her features grew harsh.

“You’re bedding that girl, aren’t you, that girl Heather?”

“What? Rachel, listen to me. If you get tangled up in Hearn’s lies it will drag you down with him.”

“That girl is young enough to be your daughter, Rick.”

“That’s none of your business, now will you come back with me to the station and talk?”

Rachel stood and glared down at him.

“I’m not going to help you hurt Tim, and once we’re married you won’t be able to make me testify against him.”

“Married? You’re marrying him?”

“That’s right, so go have fun with your teenager and leave us alone.”

Rachel walked out of the diner in a huff as Parker sat stunned by the news of her impending marriage. By the time he roused himself and went outside, she was driving away.

He took out his phone and called Jo.

“So, how did it go?” She asked.

“She’s not going to help us, or herself, how about on your end?”

“I put in requests for Hearn’s and Rachel’s phone records, but Nico doesn’t own a phone, at least not one in his name. I’m also trying to get a warrant to check Hearn’s computer records; maybe we’ll find something there.”

Parker said nothing in return.

“Hey Rick, you still there?”

“I’m here, but... the chief was right. I’m too close to this case now that we’re investigating my ex-wife and her lover. As much as I hate to do it, I’m going to bow out of the investigation.”

Jo sighed.

“I was actually going to bring that up when you got back. I’m glad you came to the conclusion yourself.”

“You don’t need me in order to solve it. You’re one of the best cops I’ve ever worked with, but I do have some news for you.”

“What’s that?”

“Rachel told me that she and Hearn are getting married.”

“I’m sorry if that hurts you, Rick.”

“Thanks, but I was actually thinking about how it might impact the case. If she’s willing to marry him, she’ll definitely lie for him.”

“I agree, so I’ll have to break both of their alibis, but one way or another, we’ll get Nico for Charles Woolley’s murder.”

“I know you’ll do it, now I’d better call the chief.”

“All right, and I’ll keep you informed.”

Parker called Chief Gabe Howard and told him about his decision. The chief not only agreed, but told him that he would have been reassigned in any event. He also suggested to Parker that he take a few days off to let his injuries heal properly.

Parker declined that offer, but did opt to take the rest of the day off. He was no longer investigating the murder of Charles Woolley, and so Heather was no longer off limits.

Also,
Taggart’s
was closed, and that meant that Heather had the evening free.

He drove to her home, and as he did so, he passed by the scene of a previous murder, the murder of Tiffany Grace.

He slowed as he drove by the Kents’ home and saw that it and the Grace home next door both had
For Sale
signs in their yards. Both homes also looked uninhabited and no cars were parked in their driveways.

He shook himself free from the memory of the sad events that had taken place inside the Kent home, but cheered as he parked in front of Heather’s house and spotted her car.

When she answered the door, she let him in, but then gave him a subdued smile and asked him why he was there.

“I’ve come to see you of course,”

Heather folded her arms over her chest.

“I have a friend who is a waitress at the diner. She told me that she saw you having breakfast with your ex-wife. Is there something you want to tell me, Rick?”

“It wasn’t a date, Heather. It actually involved the case. The man she’s seeing has given Nico Umbria an alibi, and I was warning her not to get involved.”

“Is that why she kissed you?”

Parker grinned. “You’re actually jealous?”

Heather unfolded her arms and gazed up at him with a pleading look.

“This isn’t funny, and I have to know that I can trust you.”

Parker opened his arms.

“Come here,”

Heather hugged him and he spoke to her.

“You can trust me. I know what it’s like to be betrayed and I would never hurt you. Rachel did kiss me before she sat down, but she left in a huff because I tried to warn her that she was heading for trouble.”

“But now that she’s part of the case you’ll be seeing more of her, no?”

“No, because now that she’s a part of the case I can’t continue to work on it. I’ve been reassigned.”

“So your off the case, how does that affect us?”

Parker smiled, lowered his head, and kissed her,

“Does that answer your question?”

Heather let out a squeal.

“I want to go on a date, our first date. What time do you get off today?”

“I’m free all day.”

She turned and stared at a coffee table full of textbooks.

“I’m supposed to be studying for a test, but I guess I could study late tonight instead.”

Parker shook his head.

“No. You keep studying and I’ll come back at six and pick you up. How does dinner and a movie sound?”

Heather grinned. “It sounds great.”

After they talked a little longer, Heather walked him out to his car.

As he started the engine, she leaned in and gave him a kiss.

“I can’t wait until tonight.”

“Me too, and why don’t we go to Philly? I know a lot of good restaurants there.”

“That sounds good.”

Parker drove home, feeling happier than he had in a long time, and although he was off the case, he couldn’t stop thinking about it, and his mind turned to the meeting scheduled that night at Nathanial Taggart’s home.