Armed and Dangerous (6 page)

“What?” he gasped. “Someone called a woman who got murdered? From
my
phone? That's impossible!”

“So you're claiming you've never called Nikki Thompson?” Chris pressed.

“No! I don't know any girl named Nikki. I—I don't understand.” Mark was clearly confused. Hurting.

Chris paused for effect. “Nikki wasn't part of your little sex group at the country club?”

Mark's eyes widened. The man couldn't have played poker if his life depended on it. “You guys know about the group? Of course you do.” He laughed without a trace of humor. “You've done
some
of your homework, it seems. So you already know there's nobody by that name in our group. Would one of you please explain?”

Ignoring the jab, Taylor spoke again. “Nikki Thompson was found murdered at the beginning of the week. We're confident that Vanessa was murdered by the same person.”

Mark took a moment to digest that horrible news. “I don't see what that has to do with me, the club, or how a call could've been made from my phone to someone I don't even know. Except . . .” Pausing, he stared at the wall for a few seconds.

“Did you recall something?” Taylor prompted.

“After the evening gets going really good, we ditch our clothes,” he breathed, looking back at Taylor. “We just sort of leave them lying wherever they are.”

Chris started to appear excited, like a hound on the scent of a fox. “That means your pants, wallet, keys, and phone are left discarded on the floor or wherever, for the evening. Unguarded.”

“That's right.” Mark shook his head. “I gave someone in that group the opportunity to put the blame on me. Maybe to even lure my baby away from me. Oh, God.”

“Don't be too hard on yourself,” Taylor said. “There's no way you or Vanessa could have predicted anything like this would happen. There's a predator out there who's clever, but he's not going to get away with what he's doing. We're going to catch him and put his ass behind bars.”

“Please,” Mark begged. “It's the only way I'll ever sleep again.”

“Before you leave, write down a list of names of everyone in that group.”

“Absolutely. I'll do anything to help.” His voice and expression were eager, sincere.

“We'll get you a piece of paper and something to write with.”

Standing, both detective shook his hand and then left. Seconds later, both returned to the observation room where Daisy waited with Shane. “What do you two think?” Taylor asked.

Daisy gestured to the stricken boyfriend. “He's innocent, but he's connected to the killer somehow. I think it's someone in that group.”

“I agree,” Shane said. “We have opportunity. Now what we need is motive.”

“And a connection to Nikki Thompson,” Chris put in.

That was the fly in the ointment. Nobody could figure out how she fit in with the big picture. But she would, eventually.

Chris went on. “I'll pull the phone records for all the names on the club list Mark gives me and go over them with a fine-toothed comb. It'll take a while, but I'll be damned if I don't turn up something.”

Daisy turned to Shane. “Maybe we should go ahead and blow our cover, visit some of our illustrious club members and see if anyone gets a bit too rattled?”

“I like the way your devious mind works.”

“That's not all that's devious about me that you like,” she murmured in his ear on the way out.

“You're so right.” He laughed softly.

After getting the list of names from Mark, they spent a while putting together addresses to go with them. Shane pointed to one of them. “This one's a PO box.”

“Some people don't like using their home address for privacy reasons,” Daisy said. “And if the PO box is designated for private use and not business, we'd need a warrant to force the post office to give us the address.”

“Too much red tape. We'll get it from the club, or one of the other members. Surely someone knows it.”

They decided to start with Ivana and Giorgio, who were a little put out by the deception at first.

“You're both cops?” Ivana frowned, clearly unhappy. Her lover's expression was puzzled.

But their tunes changed when Shane revealed the disappearances had turned into something much more sinister. They had never heard of Nikki Thompson, and were horrified by the murders.

“Oh, that poor lamb!” Ivana exclaimed, growing tearful. “Vanessa was such a bright girl, so full of promise. And Mark must be destroyed.”

“We're going to do everything in our power to catch the monster responsible for her murder, and find Valerie, Dan, and Jason.” Daisy hated that the statement sounded so cliché, but it was sincere.

“I know, love.” Ivana wiped at a tear. “Just do be careful.”

“By the way,” Shane said. “Jimmy mentioned a big shot in your group that he didn't seem to care for very much, but he didn't get to finish what he was telling me. Any idea who he was talking about?”

She thought for a few seconds. “I don't know. Jimmy gets along with most everyone, and I haven't noticed him disliking anyone in particular. The group does abound with important, powerful men, however. Mark being an exception.”

“How would you categorize Mark?” Daisy asked out of curiosity.

Ivana paused. “A good boy. But a bit too innocent and unsophisticated for our group, and especially for Vanessa. He loved her almost to the point of blindness, it seemed to me. He did everything she said, followed her everywhere.”

Interesting, but not very enlightening.

“Well, thank you for your help,” Shane said. “We'll be in touch.”

“Do come back and join us. We'd love to have two sexy officers to keep us safe.” Ivana shot him a smile.

“We'll keep that in mind.” He gave her a wink.

Daisy knew they'd never participate for real. That scene was far beyond anything she, for one, would ever want to play. “Where to now?”

“Let's pay a visit to Jimmy. I'm anxious to finish that conversation we were having.”

“Sounds good.”

The doctor's house was nestled in an upper middle class neighborhood about ten minutes from Ivana and Giorgio. Street after street of tasteful mini-mansions with perfectly sculpted lawns rolled by before Shane turned down the one they were looking for.

“Do these types of trappings appeal to you?” she asked, waving a hand at the area in general.

“Are you kidding?” He snorted. “I'm more than happy with my place on the river. It's peaceful, quiet, and has a great view.”

“I agree. Your house is much more homey.” He shot her a look and didn't comment again. Belatedly, she hoped he hadn't read anything into her comment. She wasn't trying to insinuate herself into his life—though she wouldn't turn down an invitation to be with him more often.

Shane pulled into the Glenns' long driveway and parked. “Let's see what we can get out of these two.”

Nobody was more surprised than Marla Glenn to see Ashwood's newest members standing on her front porch.

“Oh, hello,” she greeted them with a tentative smile. It wasn't the warmest welcome Daisy had ever seen. “Shane and Daisy, isn't it?”

“That's right, Mrs. Glenn,” Shane said smoothly, holding up his black wallet and flipping it open to reveal his badge. “But I'm afraid that's Detective Shane Ford and Officer Daisy Callahan.”

Marla's eyes bugged and she looked like she'd been smacked. “I—I don't understand. What's going on here?”

“My we come inside?” Daisy asked politely. “We'd like to ask you and your husband a few questions.”

“Of course,” she said, standing aside to let them in. “I'll go get Jimmy. Please, follow me.”

She led them into the spacious living room and left them for a few moments. The inside was as tasteful and expensive as the outside, and not to Daisy's liking for all the class dripping from every surface. The Glenns were a nice enough young couple, but they were a world apart from anyone Daisy knew.

In moments Marla returned, Jimmy leading the way. His handsome face was faintly alarmed. “My wife tells me you're both police officers? What's going on?”

Shane stood, showing his badge again. “That's right. I'm afraid I have bad news. Vanessa Hall was found murdered last night.”

Like Mark, their reactions were spot-on. If they were faking their horror, they were damned good.

“Oh my God,” Marla whispered, hand going to her mouth. “What happened? Who could've done this?”

“That's what we're trying to find out. How was her relationship with Mark?” Shane prodded.

“No.” Marla shook her head. “If you're looking at him, you're searching in the wrong direction. Mark loves—loved—her beyond reason.”

“Well, someone didn't,” Shane said, studying the couple closely. “We've also learned that her murder is connected to a woman, Nikki Thompson, who was killed in the same manner earlier this week. Have either of you heard of her?”

“I'm not sure.” Jimmy hesitated, frowning, then his expression cleared. “You know, I read about her murder in the paper, but I didn't pay much attention to the details.”

“She worked as a church secretary at the Lamb of God. I thought you might have been acquainted somehow, or seen her around.”

“I don't think so, but . . .” The doctor trailed off, frowning.

“Remember something?” Shane's posture tensed, and his gray eyes sparked with interest.

“Yeah.” Jimmy's expression grew troubled. “This is probably just a coincidence, but one of our members works at Lamb of God—William Wakefield.”

“You don't say,” Shane drawled, looking excited now. “What does he do there?”

“He's the reverend. Not that he ever told us as much.” Jimmy laughed softly. “I mean, what minister would want it to get out that he and the wife are part of a sex club?”

“So how did
you
find out?” Daisy asked.

“By accident. I drove by the church one day and saw Will locking up. I did a little poking around and found out. Marla and I kept it to ourselves, though.”

Marla spoke up, appearing intrigued. “That poor woman worked for Will? I wonder why he would show up at our gathering this week as though nothing happened? Isn't that strange?”

“Very,” her husband agreed with distaste. “And pretty damned cold, if you ask me. I'm not sure why they come at all. Maybe they hope to make friends and convert us all, or maybe they're simply hesitant to get started. If word of their desires got out, they'd be ruined in the community.”

Daisy had a feeling their participation was much more sinister than that. A glance at Shane confirmed he was on the same wavelength. Shane held out the sheet of paper with all of the group members' names and addresses on it, and pointed to the one they'd been curious about.

“I suppose that might be why Will and Allie gave the club a PO box for their address instead of their real one?”

Jimmy nodded. “I'd say so. Since he kept his occupation a secret, I'm not surprised he would be reluctant to list his church on Holly Street as his home address.”

“True,” Shane said with a smile. “Jimmy and Marla, you've been most helpful.”

“We hope so,” the doctor replied in earnest. “I'm not sure what the hell is going on, but please let us know if there's anything else we can do.”

After saying their goodbyes, Daisy followed Shane back to the truck. “I think we're onto something, Kimosabe. Are we headed where I think we are?”

He glanced at her, his grin feral. “I'm feeling the need to say a few prayers for the lost, how about you?”

The thrill of the hunt zipped through her veins. “Oh, yes. I'm thinking that's a very good idea.”

Pressing on the accelerator, Shane headed the truck toward the middle of town, in the direction of the big church on Holly Street.

5

Shane drove as fast as possible toward the church, hyperaware of Daisy sitting so close. He was trying to keep his focus on their new lead, but it wasn't easy. Now that he'd tasted her again and again, he only wanted more—which was the worst of possible ideas. He was going to break her heart.

Only he was starting to suspect his would take a giant blow as well.

Daisy cut into his morose thoughts. “So, Nikki Thompson wasn't a swinger, just a nice girl who worked as William's church secretary.”

“Maybe not as much of a good girl as it seems on the surface.”

“Possibly.”

“Now the question is, if she ran afoul of William or Allie, what happened? And how does her death relate to Vanessa's, not to mention why the others were taken?”

“Good question.” Using his hands-free unit, he called Taylor's cell phone. His partner answered on the second ring.

“What's up?”

“The first victim, Nikki Thompson. Was she a member at Ashwood?”

“No. Chris and I had already checked that against our missing people and she still has no obvious connection to them that we can find.”

“She does now,” Shane told him. “Just found out from Jimmy and Marla Glenn that not only did Nikki work at Lamb of God—she was
Reverend
William Wakefield's church secretary.”

He waited for the explosion. It wasn't long in coming.

“What?” his partner practically shouted. “Fuck me! How the hell did I miss this?”

“Hey, don't kick yourself. We were bound to connect them sooner or later.”

“Wakefield is a minister? I can't believe this.” He huffed a breath on the other end of the line. “Makes sense with the rosary being left with the victims. It's not nearly enough to tie him to the murders, though.”

“I know. Right now we're just going to pay him and his wife a visit. See how they react.”

“Be careful. Call for backup if you need us.”

“Will do.”

Ending the call, he looked at Daisy. “Let's go rattle another apple tree.”

“Can't wait.”

Shane parked in the lot right in front of the church's main doors and they got out, surveying the place. The building was big and beautiful in the sunlight, with a tall steeple pointing the way to heaven. A shiver went through him.

“Think they'll be in the church?” Daisy asked. “I noticed there's a cottage out back. Looks like it could be the reverend's private residence.”

“We'll try the main sanctuary first, then the cottage if necessary.”

They strolled up the wide stone steps and made their way inside. The vestibule and the congregational seating area beyond were grand, with rich wood, stained glass windows, and soaring ceilings. Shane spotted the good reverend near the altar, perusing a sheaf of papers in his hand.

“William Wakefield?” Shane called. The man in question turned and got a good look at Shane.

And promptly dropped his papers.

It was almost funny, but Shane refrained from cracking a smile. Instead, he and Daisy moved forward to where the reverend crouched, gathering his work with shaking hands.

“I—you startled me,” he said breathlessly. Giving them a weak smile, he stood and clutched the papers to his chest as though they were armor. Nervously, he glanced around and lowered his voice. “Didn't I meet you last night? What are you doing here?”

“I take it your secret isn't out to your members?” Shane asked casually.

William's throat worked convulsively. “Which—I mean, of course not.”

Shane pounced on his blunder. “You meant to ask which secret. Which one do you
think
I'm referring to, Will?”

“Look, I don't know what you two think you're playing at, but I'm very busy,” he snapped, struggling to regain his composure. “I don't have time—”

“Did you have time for Nikki Thompson?” he drawled. The reverend goggled at him, and Shane let a few heartbeats pass before he went on. “Your secretary, who was found murdered earlier this week. Remember?”

“Of course I do,” he croaked. “Nikki was invaluable to me. To
us
, I mean. We're heartbroken that someone could have done such a terrible thing to her.”

“Heartbroken, huh? Is that why you and Allie showed up last night, ready to party?”

“Who are you?” The man's gaze darted between them. “We are mourning Nikki here, whether you believe that or not. It's really none of your business that I went to a social gathering with my wife.”

“A sex party,” Shane corrected. “How steamy did things get last night after Daisy and I left? Did you and the pretty wife finally let your hair down?”

“Listen,” he sputtered. “You have to right to come here and pry—”

“Actually, we do.” Shane loved this part. Digging out his wallet, he flipped it open to reveal his shield. “Detective Shane Ford and Officer Daisy Callahan.”

“Oh.” The reverend's voice was suddenly very small. He appeared about two seconds from passing out cold.

Shane noted the smudges under the man's eyes. He seemed dazed, and yet they held a trace of desperation. Their rabbit was scared. No, terrified of what he and Daisy might learn. Cocking his head, Shane played another hunch and didn't bother to mask the insinuation in his tone.

“Just how well did you know Nikki Thompson, reverend? In the biblical sense?”

“That's it,” the man said in a choked whisper. “I don't have to listen to this slanderous, nasty talk, and I'm not answering more questions without my lawyer. Not that I have anything to hide, because I don't. Now you can leave the same way you came in.”

“Is your wife here, Will? We'd like to ask her a few questions, as well.”

“No. She's out for the day and I don't know when she'll return. Good day, officers.” The man turned and hurried away, disappearing down a hallway at the back of the church.

“That went well,” Daisy quipped. Then she paused. “Actually, it went very well.”

“Yep.” Shane bounced on his feet, excitement building. “The reverend has something to hide, for sure.”

“I think there's a good chance he was playing hide-the-candlestick with the late, unfortunate Nikki.”

“I think you're right. I don't think his wife is
out for the day
, either.”

They walked out, returning to his truck. Daisy slid into the seat next to him. “Stakeout?”

“You know it.” He tapped the steering wheel. “Let's drive around the block, hit a drive-through and get a bite to eat. Then we'll come back, find a place down the street to park and watch. I'd like to take a look around when it gets dark and we can't be easily seen.”

“Let's do it.”

After they picked up burgers, Shane found a good spot down the street from the church, under the trees. As they dug in, he called Taylor and filled him in.

“Daisy and I both think that Nikki and the reverend were disappearing into the confessional an awful lot, if you get my meaning,” he told his partner. “The guy was dying to get rid of us.” A thrill zinged through him. They were going to nail Wakefield to his own cross.

“So maybe he killed Nikki to keep his wife and the congregation from discovering his sins?” Taylor mused.

“Wouldn't be the first time in history.”

“Why would Wakefield and his wife join the club group? Once Nikki was dealt with, why start kidnapping and killing the members?”

“Maybe the affair with Nikki, then murdering her, started him down his path,” Shane speculated. “He got a taste and wants more.”

“What's your plan?”

“Daisy and I will hang out and watch the church, see if there's any weird activity. After it gets dark, we're going to take a look around.”

“When you do, call me. Chris and I will meet you there.”

“Not necessary, but thanks. I'll give you a heads-up when we leave the truck, but stay on stand-by. If you don't get the all-clear from one of us within half an hour, send the cavalry.”

“Stubborn ass,” his friend grumbled. “Be careful.”

“We will. Talk to you soon.”

Ending the call, he glanced at Daisy. “This is going to be a long wait.”

“Hope it nets us some information we can use.”

“Yeah.”

As the hours wore on, they chatted to pass the time. Finally, the sun went down, but they couldn't move yet because it was still too early. He studied the church looming in the darkness, and wondered what other secrets it held besides the one they knew the reverend had been keeping. There were bound to be more.

Daisy spoke up. “This area is quiet, no other businesses. It's more residential than anything.”

“It's dark here at night, too,” he observed. “Perfect for getting victims in and out with no one noticing.”

“Using a church is creepy and wrong on so many levels. If that's what they're doing.” She scowled at the building.

“Look.”

Down the street, the reverend and his wife rounded the corner of the church and got into a plain, dark sedan. After a moment, the reverend started it up and they drove away.

“Super,” Daisy breathed. “Let's go.”

Shane gave Taylor a quick call to let him know. Then they checked their weapons and started toward the building. Ascending the steps, they checked the main doors at the front, and as expected they were now locked.

Leaving the front, they crept around the side of the building toward the back. Shane wasn't surprised to find that he hadn't noticed the building had two levels—an upper floor and a basement. Typical of many buildings in the area, the basement was below ground with windows situated above the soil level. Getting down on his stomach, he tried to peer inside.

“See anything?” Daisy whispered.

“Too dark.”

Reaching around, he grabbed his gun, handle out. Using it as a club, he brought it forcefully against the glass, shattering it.

“What are you doing? You're going to get us in trouble!”

“Now, sugar, we came back to talk to the Wakefields and found this broken window, so we couldn't very well leave without investigating a possible break-in. Right?” He grinned up at her.

She snorted. “Sure. Hurry up before someone sees us.”

After breaking out the rest of the glass, he carefully brushed the big chunks off the ledge. Then he turned around and went in feet-first. Dangling over the edge, he tried to touch some sort of stable surface but met with air. Lowering himself as far as he could, he dropped, and landed hard, skidding back on his ass.

The distance hadn't been that bad. He could see the light from the window a few feet above. Standing, he positioned himself below it and called up to Daisy. “Come on. I'll grab you.”

Her silhouette appeared and she scooted over the edge. When her legs were close enough, he grabbed them. “Got you.”

She let go and he managed to get her on the floor without dropping her. With Daisy safe, he fished his cell phone from his pocket and woke up the screen. It gave off a fair amount of light, enough to illuminate a few feet around him as he searched for a light switch.

“Smart,” she said. “Not sure I would've thought of that.”

“You would have. Eventually.” She caught his teasing tone and laughed softly.

“Jackass.”

Locating the switch near the door, he flipped it on and was rewarded with a flood of bright light. The basement was surprisingly clean. It was also well-organized with the typical items a church would use for various events—spare tables, chairs, a few standard wedding decorations, shelves of cleaning supplies, and other odds and ends. Nothing ominous jumped out at them.

“We can check the rest of the building, but I doubt we'll find anything,” he said in disappointment. “Too much traffic from guests and maintenance workers to hide anyone.”

“What about their cottage out back?”

“It's worth a shot.” It was their only shot. If the victims had been here and had been moved, they might never find them. Assuming they were still alive.

Quickly they finished searching the remainder of the church, but the place was clear. After exiting through a side door, Shane took out his phone again and checked the time. His half-hour was almost up, so he called Taylor.

“Find anything?” his partner asked by way of greeting.

“Not a thing. We're going to check the private residence behind the church, and if that doesn't pan out, we'll start from scratch.”

“Listen, I'm headed your way. If you get done before I get there and came up empty, give me a call and I'll go on home. Otherwise, see you in ten or so.”

There was no use telling his partner not to come, so he didn't bother. “See you.”

He and Daisy walked the path to the house, which was about forty yards from the back of the church. It appeared to be an average-sized home. Not too small, not huge. The landscaping was neat, but lacking in flower pots or other trimmings that might make it homey. In short, plain and boring.

What wasn't boring were the burglar bars on the rear windows—unlike the church.

“What do you make of this?” Tapping Daisy's shoulder, he pointed.

She walked over and studied a set on one of the windows. “Could be that the reverend and his sweetie are simply extra cautious about burglars. The back does face a wooded lot.”

“Or could be they're keeping something inside.” He ran his hands from the top of one bar to the window ledge. “They're cemented in, and I don't see a safety latch. If the house caught on fire, they'd be in trouble.”

“Jesus.” Walking over, she stopped and raised a hand to the glass. Softly, she tapped several times.

They listened. When no sound came from inside, she tapped again. This time, there was a muffled sound. A thud. And another. Like someone kicking the wall?

Daisy looked at him, excitement shining in her eyes. “That's enough probable cause for me to get inside. You?”