Disrobed for Death (15 page)

Good morning. Today is Tuesday, February 8, 2012. Hammond is mourning the loss of a sheriff’s detective. He was killed last night while attempting to make an arrest at a trailer off Highway 23. The suspect was also killed when the trailer exploded.

An invisible hand sucker-punched Susan in the gut. She clutched her heart and wheeled around. Holding onto the back of the sofa for support, she grabbed the remote and increased the volume, all the while praying, “Please, Lord, not Wesley. Please.” The news cast continued.

Detective Terrance Oliver, a 10-year veteran of the force, leaves behind a wife and two small children. His partner, Detective Wesley Grissom, sustained minor injuries and was treated and released at the scene.”

Snatching the portable phone from its base, Susan punched in Wesley’s number. He answered on the second ring.

“I just saw the news. Are you all right?” she blurted, her voice octaves higher than normal. “Why didn’t you call me?”

“It was the wee hours of the morning. I was going to call you first thing but looks like you found out before I had a chance.”

“What happened?”

“The suspect was hiding in a trailer. It exploded. We had no indication it was a meth lab.”

“I’m on my way.”

“It’s not necessary, I—”

“I’m not asking you. I’ll be there in a few minutes.”

Susan hung up the phone and threw on some clothes, not bothering with makeup. On the way to Wesley’s, she called A. K. “I’ll be in later. Put on the news. Wesley was hurt and his partner killed last night. It didn’t have anything to do with Gary, but don’t you dare let down your guard. For sure, he’ll be in a foul mood, if he shows up.”

Wesley’s unmarked unit was parked at a slight angle next to his black Tundra. The driver’s window was a maze of cracks, and the front fender looked as if someone had taken a hammer to it. With her heart thudding against her chest, she stepped out of the Camaro and into an eerie calm—no rustle of wind through the trees, no scurrying squirrels or birds in flight, not even the rumble of cars on the highway. For sure, Death had passed this way. Only this time, it failed to claim a victim. As she rushed to the house, the crunching of leaves underfoot vanquished the uncanny silence.

“It’s me,” she said, banging on the front door.

Wesley’s stoic face couldn’t hide the grief that pooled in his eyes. They appeared murky and dull. Cuts and scrapes marked his face. The robust warrior looked pale and gaunt, having engaged a formidable foe. This was a side of Wesley she had never seen before.

Stepping inside, she wrapped her arms around him. “I’m so sorry. What can I do?”

“There’s not anything anyone can do.” He closed the door and walked with her into the den. Logs in the fireplace popped and crackled as flames bathed the room in warmth, almost as warm as the heat that rose from Wesley’s body. He wore jeans and white tee shirt that clung to his well-defined body.

“Thank God you weren’t killed,” she said, reaching up and caressing his cheek.

He took her hand and brought it to his lips.

“It should have been me.” His eyes glistened. “Terrance pulled me back and insisted that he take the lead. When he reached for the door, the trailer exploded. There was a strong wind blowing away from us, so we never smelled the meth. Also, the guy we were after was wanted for murder. As far as we knew, he wasn’t involved in drugs.

The full force of the blast hit Terrance and propelled him back onto me. He was a living shield that protected me from most of the fire and debris.”

“Oh, that’s horrible.”

“I don’t remember much following the initial blast. My ears were ringing, and smoke clouded my vision. Somehow, I managed to radio for help. If we had suspected anything like that, we never would have approached the place and would have called for backup.

“I don’t know how long it took help to reach us. It was like I was in a dream. I could hear Terrance moaning, but I couldn’t move. Then he stopped, and there was silence, except for the ringing in my ears. I must have blacked out. The next thing I remembered was a medic asking me where I was cut. I didn’t know that I was, but when I ran my hand down my chest, I could tell I was soaked in blood.”

Wesley heaved a sigh and seemed to stare into space. A frown crossed his face, and he raked a hand through his hair. “I had only minor injuries. It was Terrance’s blood that covered me. He was cut to pieces. One big piece of glass had severed his carotid artery, and he bled out in seconds.”

Wesley put his arm around her. “I’m so glad you’re here. Come sit with me on the sofa.”

She curled up beside him and cuddled close, her arm entwined in his. “I couldn’t get here fast enough. I almost fainted when I heard the news. I thought it was you. The announcer said a detective was killed and took a while before he said Terrance’s name.”

He dropped his head and rested his chin on his chest. “I went to see his wife, Melanie, before coming home. I was afraid to look her in the eye, afraid I’d see what I’ve been thinking—why him and not me? But I saw only sadness.

“She was surrounded by family and friends, each trying to console the other. It was a terrible scene, one that’s only going to get worse. She has the burden of raising her two children alone, and the department doesn’t pay much on death benefits. I’m going to do what I can to help her.”

“I’m sure the community will come together over this, too. They’ll want to help. I’ll see what I can do to get a fund raiser started.”

For the first time since her arrival, his mouth took a slight upward turn. “That would be great. I don’t know the department policy for covering such things. More than likely, I’ll be ordered to take a few days off and talk with someone trained to help with getting over the death of a partner.

“I want you to know, I haven’t forgotten your problem. I still plan to do what I can to help you. Earlier in the evening, I mentioned to the Sheriff that I’d gotten a tip on some break-ins at the Meadow Wood Apartments. He gave me the okay for surveillance, so the stakeout is still on. Who knows? I might really catch a burglar, or worse?”

I’d be willing to bet his name won’t be Gary.
“If there’s someone to stop, I know you will do it.”

Susan untwined her arm and stood up.

“Time to go?” he asked.

“It is, now that I know you’re okay. I need to see to things at the boutique, and I can start the ball rolling on a fundraiser. But I’ll call you later. How about a bowl of gumbo tonight? I can pick up an order from Tilly’s.”

“I’d like that. Can you make it about eight o’clock? The wake starts at five, and I want to get there early, before the crowds arrive. I don’t want a bunch of gawking strangers when I pay my respects to Melanie. After that, I’ll ease into the background. Constantly seeing me can’t be good for her. She must have asked herself a thousand times—why Terrance and not me? I can’t blame her. I’ve asked myself the same question.”

“Do you want me to go with you?”

“You know I always want you with me, but this time, it would be best if I went alone. I’m sure my fellow officers will expect me to spend time with them, too.”

“I understand.”

Susan arrived at the boutique around mid-morning. For a Tuesday, she was surprised to find the parking lot nearly filled. Gary’s truck was nowhere in sight, but she spotted Ramona getting out of her vehicle.

“Glad you’re here,” Susan said to her. “I was going to call you.”

Entering the store together, Susan stopped to speak to several customers and to Debbie and Sheila. A. K. was waiting on a customer at the rear of the store. “I’ll catch up with you in a minute,” Susan said to A. K. as they passed. Turning to Ramona, she said, “Let’s go into the office so we can have some privacy.”

Susan sat at her desk while Ramona sat across from her. “I followed Clarissa to New Orleans.”

Ramona’s eyes widened. “Oh?”

“She met a man at the Napoleon House. From what I witnessed, I’m inclined to believe he’s the one who’s working with her.”

“Who is he?”

“I can’t prove anything yet, so I’d rather not name names. Besides, you’re better off not knowing. But now, being able to recognize him will make it easier to stop him, if he is the person who intends to do harm to Jack.”

“How do you plan to accomplish that?”

“Remember I told you I had a detective friend. He’ll be guarding Jack’s apartment the night before Valentine’s Day. Wesley knows about the man I saw in New Orleans, and he’s not about to let him or anyone get into Jack’s apartment. You’re going to have to trust me that he’ll do his job.”

“I still can’t believe Clarissa could do such a thing. Jack was so good to her. Don’t you think we should let him know what’s going on?”

Susan shook her head. “I’ve tried to get through to him, but he won’t listen to me. Maybe he’ll listen to his sister and be more vigilant. At this stage, it’s best we not upset him. He could change his routine, and that might make it more difficult for Wesley to follow and protect him.”

Ramona rung her hands. “I’ll be glad when this is over.”

“You and me both. I suppose you heard the news this morning about an officer getting killed.”

“That was terrible. My heart goes out to his wife and children.”

“Terrance was Wesley’s partner.”

Ramona’s mouth opened but she hesitated. Grabbing Susan’s hand, she spoke first with her eyes. “I’m so sorry,” she finally said. “I heard he wasn’t seriously hurt.”

“At least, not physically, but mentally he’ll be struggling with this for a long time. I’ve counted my blessings that he’s alive. You’re right about the widow having a difficult time. I plan to get with the mayor and see about raising money for her. I’m sure many of the businesses here and in Hammond will want to contribute. I thought I’d have a sale with all the profits going to her. I’m sure my employees will help distribute flyers.

“I hear the city holds a memorial service to honor fallen officers. That would be a great time to give her the donations.”

“I want to help, too. Let me pay for the printing, and I’m sure I can get some of my friends to help.”

Susan walked Ramona to the front of the store. “Like me, your nerves will be on end about Jack, but I know everything is going to work out. We just have to hang in there a few more days.”

Once the store emptied of customers, Susan called everyone together. She told them about Terrance getting killed and that he was a partner to the man she’s dating. Then she told them about her plans for the charity sale. Everyone immediately volunteered to do everything they could to help raise money.

“I knew I could count on all of you,” Susan said. “Debbie, you and Sheila can start by marking down merchandise. I’ll leave the selection up to you. Pick out nice things. We want the customers to get some really good bargains.”

“You got it, boss,” Debbie said. “You work the boudoir items, Sheila, and I’ll take casual clothes. We’ll leave the accessories for you, A. K.”

“Works for me,” A. K. said.

“Can you help me design the flyer?” Susan asked A. K. “You’re good at that.”

For the next several hours, the crew of the Bawdy Boutique stayed busy preparing for the sale as well as waiting on customers. During a lull, Susan managed to slip into her office and place a call to the mayor, who welcomed the idea of a fundraiser.

“I spoke to Melanie this morning,” he said. “The funeral will be tomorrow, Wednesday, February the ninth, at the First Baptist Church. I’ve scheduled the Memorial Ceremony for Saturday, February the twelfth in the high school’s auditorium. That should leave us plenty of time to raise money.”

“Great, I’ll plan on February the tenth and eleventh to hold my sales. I’ll distribute flyers here and in Hammond, so we should have a pretty good turnout.”

“I can issue a press release,” the mayor said. “That’ll help. I know businesses in the Hammond area will want to contribute.”

“I’m not familiar with your policies, but I thought it would be nice if we could give her whatever is collected at the end of the memorial service. If it’s okay with you, I’d like to decorate a box to hold the donations.”

“That would be nice. Susan, you and the Bawdy Boutique are a real asset to Palmetto and the Hammond area.”

“Thank you, Mr. Mayor.”

By close of day, the store racks had thinned, and display tables were piled high with merchandise for the sale.

“A. K., can you open the store tomorrow? I want to attend the funeral and be there for Wesley.”

“Of course.”

“I’m also expecting a delivery tomorrow, and it looks like we’re going to need it. I want the sale to be special. Debbie and Sheila, you know just about everyone in town. Any chance you could line up a couple of friends to model dresses?”

“I know of two who would love to do it,” Sheila said.

“If the weather is good, I’d like to set up a few tables outside. Hopefully, we’ll have a big turnout and that would keep the store from getting too crowded. What do you think about offering refreshments? We could set up one table with wine and cheese, and another with cold drinks and sweets?”

“I could go for that,” Debbie said.

“Well, that should do it. You girls did a great job. You, too, old woman,” she said, glancing at A. K.

A. K. laughed. “I’m going to need additional bins to hold the jewelry.”

“You’ll find some table-top display cases in the storage room. What do you say we call it quits for today, ladies? It’s almost closing time, and I have an errand to run.”

“That wouldn’t involve a certain someone, would it?” A. K. asked.

Debbie and Sheila giggled and waved goodbye as they walked out the front door.

Susan nodded in response to A. K. “After what happened with Terrance, I think Wesley could use a little TLC. I’m picking up gumbo from Tilly’s for our supper.”

Susan walked to the rear of the boutique to turn back the register, and A. K. began to dim the lights. They both turned when the roar of an engine caught their attention. Headlights flashed into the store, and Gary’s truck came to a squealing halt at the front door.

“Oh, boy, here he comes,” Susan said. “Play it cool. We know nothing about nothing.”