Death By High Heels (The Kim Murphy PI Series Book 1) (29 page)
Read Death By High Heels (The Kim Murphy PI Series Book 1) Online
Authors: Violet Ingram
“Bleeding has stopped and she shouldn’t need any more stitches. She claims she already got a tetanus shot.”
My dad looked at me and waited. “I did, I swear.”
“Fine, thanks, Marco.”
“No problem, Uncle Sean.”
My dad reached up and helped me out of the ambulance, but not before Marco could give me a quick lecture about signs of infections and a hug. The latter was appreciated, though I could have done without the lecture. Before the night, or morning as the sun was starting to rise, was through I was sure to receive plenty more of both.
“Kimberly, I’ve decided to let Detective Tompkins lead the investigation. He’ll be here any moment.”
“Oh goody,” I muttered.
I followed behind him, grateful when instead of going inside the building we went to a makeshift command center in the parking lot of the abandoned factory next door. I’d have walked naked and barefoot over hot coals before I let my family know I was too much of a coward to go back inside there again.
While I had been busy being poked and prodded, Officer Clarkson had given his side of the story. Now it was my turn. We stood in a circle, and since no one had tried to stop them, Brandon and Michael stood on either side of me. Before I could begin, Grant joined our cozy little group, making it a party of six.
“Listen up, there will be no interruptions. Just let her get through this before we start bombarding her,” my dad warned. “Go on, Kimberly.”
So I started with Officer Duncan finding me in Lindsay’s apartment and didn’t stop talking until I’d told them about Officer Clarkson shooting Kevin. I was careful to omit my little breaking, entering, and destruction escapade. It wasn’t really evidence since it had absolutely nothing to do with this case. I was already in enough trouble. The last thing I needed to do was confess to another crime.
They had all followed my dad’s order and not interrupted, but the moment I stopped talking, they all began talking over each other. Officer Clarkson chose that moment to walk over to us.
“What were you thinking?” Michael demanded.
“You could have gotten her killed,” shouted Brandon.
“I was undercover and I had a job to do. I did save her life, or doesn’t that count?” he snapped.
Michael lunged for him. Brandon and Grant grabbed him before he reached Officer Clarkson.
“Michael,” my dad shouted.
“You got him?” Grant asked.
“Yeah.”
“Good.” Grant let go of Michael, turned, and punched Officer Clarkson in the face. There was a second of complete silence before all hell broke loose. My brothers were yelling at Grant, Grant was yelling at Officer Clarkson, and my father looked at us like we’d all lost our minds. Several officers rushed over from the crime scene next door to see if we needed assistance.
“Stop,” my father shouted, and everyone froze.
“You had all better get a grip or I will lock up each and every one of you.” He looked around before continuing. “Anyone not working this case, go home.”
My brothers started to protest but he cut them off. “Now!” They left without another word.
“Now, Officer Clarkson, do you wish to press charges against Detective Tompkins?”
“No, sir.”
“Are you sure? You have every right to do so.”
“Nothing happened.”
My dad looked pointedly at Officer Clarkson’s face.
“I did this myself.”
“Officer…”
“That’s what my report will say…sir.”
“The ambulance is still here. Go get something for that eye.”
“Yes, sir.” He took off without another word.
“Now, detective, if you ever assault a fellow officer again, I’ll have your badge. Is that understood?”
“Yes, sir. It won’t happen again.”
“It better not. Now if you’ll take my daughter back to the station, I’ll meet you both there.”
“Of course.”
“Kimberly, not a word until we get back to the station.”
“Fine.”
As promised, I didn’t speak to Grant on the drive to the station. He parked in the back lot and ran around the car. He opened the passenger door and helped me out of the car. “Thanks.”
Instead of talking he just nodded his head.
“Nice right hook. Remind me not to get you mad.”
“Too late,” he muttered.
Several hours and cups of coffee later my dad and I were on our way to my parents’ house. Once there, my mom hugged and fed me before sending me off to take a shower. In the guest room I crawled under the covers and cried myself to sleep.
A Week Later
It had felt great and a bit odd to wake up in my own bed for the first time since the night of many kidnappings. A lot had happened since that night. Officer Clarkson, along with some fellow Lakeview police officers, tracked down and arrested Mr. Suit, whose real name turned out to be George Bollinger. George and Kevin were in business together. George owned the home health care company that Sara worked for. Kevin’s job was to convince, or rather blackmail, several of the nurses to steal drugs from their patients. They also took advantage of Adam’s pot growing facility in his home and were making money off him. Things went bad for them when Brian discovered what Kevin was forcing Sara to do. He turned the tables and blackmailed Kevin. Unfortunately, when Brian refused to tell where he had hidden George’s things they had killed him, in front of his sister. It turned out I’d been right about where George’s stolen items were. Grant found them taped behind Lindsay’s oven before turning the apartment back over to her, though it wouldn’t be hers for much longer. She was planning her wedding to Mr. Hardin, who had hired a private investigator of his own who managed to get plenty of pictures of Mrs. Hardin with Kevin.
As for Sara, she came out of hiding once she found out about George and Kevin. She’d been arrested for her part and was awaiting trial. The other day I got a thank you card in the mail from her mom. It took me a day and a half before I could open it. It must have been devastating to have your son killed and to find out your daughter was indirectly responsible.
Despite everyone’s very vocal objections I insisted on going to Angie’s funeral. If not for me, she may have still been alive. Brandon had been the only one who seemed to understand why I had to go. It was no surprise when he arrived early and picked me up to go with me. Angie’s family had held a viewing at the new funeral home on Leo Street. It was located in the old hardware store right next to the fire station. The sirens went off twice during the time Brandon and I were there. Angie probably would have gotten a kick out of that.
I turned the memory card over to the police. Brian had managed to get several shots of George and Kevin exchanging money and what appeared to be drugs. Too bad his efforts to help his sister had caused his death.
I picked up the card I’d purchased at Wal-Mart along with necessities like pop, potato chips, and chocolate. I opened it and laughed. It was perfect. I only regretted I wouldn’t get to see George’s face when he opened the envelope and saw a card congratulating him on his new home. That prison cell was certainly his new home and would be for the next twenty years, thanks to his plea agreement with the district attorney.
The doorbell rang and I was reluctant to go downstairs. After all hell had broken loose it had seemed every reporter in Ohio had tried to get an interview. Eventually even the most persistent had given up, but I wasn’t taking any chances. I was still screening my calls and watching for lurking reporters when I ventured out of my cozy apartment. When the doorbell rang again I decided to at least see who was there. After all, it could be my mom with more of her homemade lasagna or her eggplant parmesan. Not wanting to miss out on a possible free meal, I rushed down the stairs. I looked through the peephole and sighed.
Grant stepped inside and closed the door behind him. “We need to talk.”
“Damn it! I knew it.”
“What?”
“You’re married or engaged.”
“Why do you think that?” he asked.
“Because you want to talk and someone at the station said women keep hitting on you but you turn them down. So, I figure you’re married, engaged, or gay, but after the other night I think I can safely say you aren’t gay.”
“No, I’m not gay. I’m also not engaged or married. There’s this one woman I can’t get out of my head.”
“Oh.”
“Yeah, she’s obstinate and really needs to stop getting herself into trouble.”
“Maybe you should handcuff her and lock her away.”
Grant smiled, revealing those adorable dimples. “If you want handcuffed, I’m your man.” He grabbed me and pulled me against his lean, hard in all the right places, body.
“Kim,” he whispered, his lips kissing a trail down my neck, his hands locking onto my ass. “Christ, I need you. Now.”
“Oh, God, yes.”
“Now about those handcuffs…”
*The End*
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About the Author
Growing up Violet Ingram spent Saturday mornings in the library. Her first literary loves were Hardy Boys, Nancy Drew, and Encyclopedia Brown. She always imagined herself helping solve the mysteries.
Violet dreamed of being a singer, a world famous movie star, a veterinarian, and a marine biologist. Turns out she can’t sing, is a homebody, squeamish at the sight of blood, and can’t swim.
After becoming a stay-at-home mom, she dreamed of turning her hobby of writing stories into a career. With the support of her family and friends, this dream became a reality.
Violet lives in the Midwest where she is busy keeping up with her hubby, their 5 kids, and glued to her computer putting the scenes in her head onto the screen.
