Random Acts of Murder: A Holly Anna Paladin Mystery, Book 1 (Holly Anna Paladin Mysteries) (21 page)

CHAPTER 34

I left early for work the next morning, just so I could swing past the warehouse where I’d seen Brian.

Orion. Orion was behind these crimes. That’s what I told myself. But Brian still remained on my mind.

I
’d known for a while now that the person responsible for the murders had recognized me and that they were most likely someone I knew, someone I’d spoken with before. That’s why Brian still seemed like a viable candidate for the position of Murderer. But Orion seemed like a possible candidate, as well.

I slowed as I approached the warehouse. Everything was quiet out here
. There were no cars or people loitering outside.

Should I check
the place out? It was broad daylight, which added some security. Besides, my days were numbered anyway.

I made a split
-second decision to pull into the parking space. Moving quickly, I climbed from the car. My heels clicked on the cement around the building as I hurried toward the front door. Looking both ways and spotting no one, I tugged at the door.

Nothing. It was locked.

I hurried to the other side, searching for a window that was low enough to allow me to peek in. Again, there was nothing.

But there was a
Dumpster.

It wasn’t my smartest move ever,
but I found a couple of boxes, pushed them together, and used them as steps so I could reach the top of the Dumpster. I had to move carefully, because of my heels, my dress, and my knack for clumsiness.

I grabbed the
windowsill and pulled myself up. My gaze barely skimmed the top.

I tried to see inside, but
dark shrouded the interior. I couldn’t make anything out.

Which meant all of this effort was
for nothing. I had no more of an idea what was going on inside this building now than I’d had before I came.

I sighed
and turned to get down.

That’s when I heard the
blip-blip
of a police cruiser.

I looked up in time to see T.J. climb from his unmarked police sedan.

**
*

“Holly Paladin. Fancy seeing you here.” T.J.’s hands went to his hips as he stared at me.

And he didn’t even bother to help me down.

I carefully took a step, only the boxes collapsed. I nearly tumbled onto the ground, but I caught myself on the edge of the Dumpster.

Dirt smeared across the skirt of my dress
, and my ankle throbbed.

But I hadn’t fallen. Not totally, at least.

I wiped the dust off my skirt and raised my chin, trying to seem like this was totally normal, something that I did every day. That everyone did every day, for that matter. “Hi, T.J.”

He stared at me, accusation in his gaze.
“Can I ask what you’re doing?”

I shrugged nonchalantly.
“Just checking out the old building.”

“You couldn’t wait until it opened?”

“Nope.” I refused to break my gaze.

His eyes narrowed. “What are you really doing, Holly?”

“Social work kind of things that concern privacy. I can’t tell you details.” In the broadest sense, I supposed that was true. Still, guilt pounded at me.

“Is that right?”

“Of course. Now, I’ve got to get to work.” I tried to hurry past him, but he caught my arm.

“We found a partial print on the scrub brush at another victim’s place. It’s not enough to bring you in, but I think you’re involved in these murders somehow, Holly.”

I raised my chin, a strange sense of strength rising in me as I stared T.J. down.

“I’m watching you
,” he continued. “One wrong move, and I’m bringing you in. Do I make myself clear?”

I jerked away from him and continued back to my car.
He’d followed me, I realized. That’s the only way he could have happened past at the exact moment I was here. It was too big of a coincidence.

It wasn’t until I was inside with my doors locked that my breathing slowed.

That had been close. Really close.

***

I went through my routine at work, trying to wrap up some of my paperwork, as it was an office day. During my lunch break, I pulled out a sack lunch and grabbed a copy of the local newspaper.

The headline caught my eye: Rex Harrison Cuts Ties with Orion Enterprises.

I skimmed the article. Apparently, in yesterday’s paper, something came out about Orion Enterprises having shady business practices, underpaying workers, and being behind on paying their taxes.

This would be Brian’s doing, if I had to guess.

So today, Rex Harrison was disassociating himself with the company. I was sure it helped that Rex seemed to suspect Orion of possibly being involved in these local murders, as well.

I
did an Internet search on Orion. His mug shot came onto my computer screen. Even in his publicity pictures, the man didn’t smile. There was a certain gleam in his eyes that made me wonder what was going on inside his head.

Was this the face of a killer?
Caligula? I didn’t know. I’d only met the man once. But if he was manufacturing Cena, he could be making millions off of it. Some people never seemed to have enough money and would do anything for more.

Would that be his motivation?

I shook my head. I just wasn’t sure. He did fit the description as far as having influence.

“Holly?”

I looked up and saw Doris standing there. “Yes, ma’am?”

“I need you to start logging your hours.”

I blinked. “What?”

She scowled. “I know Helen might love you, but all of this sick time you’re taking? I smell something fishy. I won’t have our company’s funds wasted.”

“I’m not wasting the company’s time. I get my job done. I work late if I have to.”

“That used to be the case. Lately, you’re running around doing ever
ything you can to get out of work.”

“
Helen gave me permission to help the police find this killer.”

She slapped a paper on my desk. “You’re coming in late, taking long lunches, and leaving early.
You’re not reliable.”

I stared at my boss, trying to get a read on her. Finally, I asked, “What are you saying?”

“I’m saying, I don’t care who your family is or who you’re dating or who you’ve blinded with your empyreal goodness.”

“I’m not dating anyone
, nor am I a saint.”

She raised her chin skeptically. “Yeah
, I know that. Apparently, there are others who don’t. Consider this your final warning. Helen won’t let me fire you, but I can make your life miserable.”

As she walked away, I shook my head. Why was it that people either seemed to love me or hate me? There were very few in-betweens.

Having my supervisor hate me wasn’t a good thing. Maybe I should just quit this job. I had no idea what I’d do. Maybe I would work for my brother if he won this election.

Then I remembered the families I helped. I
couldn’t let them down. I could put up with Doris for their sakes . . . I hoped.

I sighed just as my cell phone rang. I recognized
Jamie’s number. I glanced in Doris’s direction, saw she wasn’t looking, and answered quietly. No need to stir things up any more. “What’s going on?”

“Can you meet for lunch?”

I glanced at Doris again. She glanced back my way, and I slid down in my office chair for a moment. “This may not be the best day.”

“Please. It’s about John.”

Why was I worrying about job security right now? I was dying, for goodness’ sakes. “Where do you want to meet?”

CHAPTER 35

I sat across from Jamie at some organic restaurant that mostly served salads and soups. I’d already eaten, so I only ordered a water. Jamie was already
munching on some organic greens.

“Did they find John?” I asked. Hope rose in me, but despair was hot on its tail.

She shook her head. “Not yet. I’ve been talking to some of his friends. No one seems to know where he went or what happened to him.”

“I’m sorry, Jamie.”

“I was hoping you’d go with me to talk to one more.”

I nodded. “Of course. Who?”

“Little T.”

My
face paled. “You think he has something to do with this?”

“I know
they’ve hung out a couple of times. I know Little T likes you. Maybe he’ll open up.”

I let out a long breath. “Of course I’ll talk to him. I don’t know how open he’ll be, though.”

“That’s great, because he’s meeting me here. Now.”

I blanched, surprised at the encounter. “I guess you were counting on me to say yes.”

“I can’t stop thinking about the police finding John with three bullets to his chest, Holly. Just like those other guys. At first, I thought my brother was just being irresponsible and he’d gone somewhere or gotten back into drugs. Now I’m not sure.”

I
glanced at my watch. “When’s Little T coming?”

“Five minutes.”

I took a sip of my water, trying to formulate a plan of action.

“I saw the article today on Orion,” Jamie started.
“Brian actually tried to get me to write something about his unethical business practices and his ties with Rex.”

That was news to me.
“Really? I guess you said no.”

Jamie’s jaw tightened, her disposition
that of a severe thunderstorm warning in its final moments. “He said he would report my dad if I didn’t.”

I
bristled. “What?”

She nodded. “It’s true. He said
Robbie—a guy in my dad’s band—is under the age of twenty-one, and he’s played in some clubs with strict age limits. Brian said he could press charges against the band.”

“Why didn’t you tell
me this sooner? I would have talked to him, set him straight. He can’t do that!”

“He did do it.”

“Jamie, I’m so sorry. I had no idea. You’ve got to believe me.”

She nodded. “I believe you. I
talked to my dad, and he said the owners of the jazz club approved it, so he didn’t think it was a big deal. I just don’t want to see my dad have to go through this hassle, you know? He’s a good guy. You know he wouldn’t do anything illegal—not on purpose, at least.”

“I’m going
to talk to Ralph about this.”

“Don’t bother. Not right now. Not until the election is over. And, just in case
you’re wondering, I didn’t tell Rex about this.”

“That wasn’t my biggest concern, Jamie.”

She nodded. “I know. But stuff like that could ruin a campaign. As much as I love a good expose, I don’t want that at the expense of my friendship with you.”

“Thank you, Jamie.”

“It’s the same reason I didn’t write the article on Orion. I don’t like it when stories get personal. There are things more important in life than winning elections.”

“I agree.”

Just then, the door opened and Little T walked in. He smiled when he spotted me. “If it isn’t Ms. Holly. Fancy seeing you here.” He slid into the booth beside me. “So, to what do I owe the pleasure of this meeting?”

Jamie nodded toward me. H
ow did I even approach this? “Little T, I need your help.”

“Anything for you, Ms. Holly.”

“When was the last time you saw John?”

“Who’s John?”

“Remember, I talked to you about him before? He’s Jamie’s little brother.”

“I’m sorry. I don’t know a John.” He shrugged nonchalantly.

I locked my gaze with him. “Little T, I saw you with John on the night before he disappeared. I’m hoping you can tell me where he is before something happens to him.”

All the warmth left his face and he drew back. “You saw me?”

“I was leaving the youth center. I saw you with him.”

His face clouded. I figured he was probably remembering the car that followed him and putting it together that that was me.

He finally looked at me again. “There’s a guy I know by the name the Disciple. Maybe that’s who you’re talking about.”

I glanced at Jamie. “The Disciple?”

“He was named after one of the twelve.”

My heart sped for a minute. That had to be John. “What do you know about him?”

“I took him to talk to someone about making some extra money.”

“Who? Who did you take him to?”

“Ms. Holly—”

“It was
Caligula, wasn’t it?” I wanted to lecture him about aligning himself with people like that, but this wasn’t the time.

He shrugged. “Maybe.”

“What happened?”

He shrugged again. “I don’t know. I dropped him off. That was that. I was just the courier.”

“Where did you drop him off?” Jamie demanded.

I could see Little T starting to shut down again, and I placed my hand on his arm. “It’
s okay. We’re just worried. Please, anything can help.”

“It was a warehouse downtown.”

I remembered Brian’s visit to that warehouse. Could it be the same place? “Address?”

He spouted off a different address
than the location where I’d seen Brian. I made a mental note to call Chase after I left here and ask him to check it out.

“Who was he meeting?”
I asked.

“He wears a mask. If you see his face, you die. Just like those other guys.”

***

I worked extra late at the agency that evening, trying to appease Doris, although I was beginning to resent her more than anything.

I’d called Chase on my way in to work and told him about my conversation with Little T. He’d promised to check out the warehouse and encouraged me to stay safe.

By the time I got home, it was dark outside. I shoved my
key into the lock and lumbered into my house. I just needed some time to rest, some time to chew on everything I’d learned.

I dropped my keys onto the table in the foyer, kicked off my shoes, put my purse on the shelf, and started toward the living room. For once I was actually glad my mom wasn’t home
, because I needed a moment.

Everything in my life felt like it was in turmoil right now, and I felt overwhelmed, to say the least.

John was missing, my job was on the line, my time on earth was ticking away, and everything in general just felt out of whack. Even more, I had no idea what to do about it. The issues had become far greater than the fact that I’d been at that first crime scene.

I fix
ed myself some tea with honey and walked toward the living room.

I stopped in my tracks when I saw blood on the floor.

I held my breath as I followed the trail.

It led to my couch.