Fragmented (6 page)

“
Randy?”

“
I guess. He’s sleeping in your bedroom.” He grunted. “They came in, ate my leftover pizza in the fridge, and drank Karl’s beers.”

“
Okay, okay,” Cameron said levelly. It was making sense. Greg liked everything in its place. No one was allowed to touch his stuff. He was an extremely giving sort if he felt like it, but he had to feel like it.

No one could ask Greg…and to take his pizza! Strictly taboo.
It would have been funny if he wasn’t so dead serious about the whole thing.

“
I’ll take care of it, but Greg, you know that Zach’s welcome here anytime. I’ve made that perfectly clear. He is always welcome. You know how I feel. I’ll talk with him and replace your pizza. How’s that?”

“
I’m tired, Cam. Just get him out of here,” Greg said, impatiently glaring at the back of the couch. “He was wild last night. He came in. Left and came back in half-cocked. Don’t know what the two of them were up to, but it was no good, Cam, I tell you.”

She nodded while she patted his back
, giving him a slight smile and trying her best to be a little sympathetic. She turned the knob as if herding him into his bedroom. “I’ll take care of it. Sorry, Greg. Get some sleep.”

“
It’s not fair to you, Cam. You’re always taking care of everyone,” he mumbled, obediently walking in his room. He didn’t turn back around.

“
I’m fine, Greg. Just fine,” she said. She reached back over to close the door firmly behind him. Hopefully, he would sleep and Zach would be long gone before he awoke. She turned back around. Her attention was now firmly placed on her young, irresponsible brother.

“
Don’t start on me, Cam. I didn’t do anything this time,” Zach said.

Cameron sighed and took a seat in a navy blue leather recliner. She realized she had a raging headache
, as she stared at her sibling.

He had been so young when their mother died. Their father hadn’t dealt well with the fact the love of his life had left this world and he had been the cause. He drowned his sorrows in a bottle.

During nursing school, she had learned her father was what one would call a functional alcoholic, able to maintain his job—barely. Home was another matter. Cameron had done her best, but had made her escape going to college. The guilt of leaving Zach in the situation plagued her.

Zach seemed to manage well enough
, at least socially. His grades…well, he got by. Cam had to pull teeth to get him to take them seriously. Partying and sports came too naturally for him. Studying took effort.

“
When are you moving, anyway? You are still buying that condo? I liked the place and you’ll be away from that kook.”

“
Don’t try to change the subject. What the hell happened here last night?”

“
Nothing, sis. Told you. Randy and I were going to go out like I called and told you. We may have been a little hungry.”

Cameron rolled her eyes. She had no doubt Randy and Zach egged Greg on. It wouldn’t take much. When she had called in
the afternoon, Greg hadn’t been happy with the news that Zach was coming over.

“
What else did you do? My God. Look at this place. Your clothes are all over the living room.”

She got up. Her eyes caught sight of his sneakers with blaring
dark red spots covering the white leather. She picked them up. “This is blood, Zach.” Her voice rose. “Were you in a fight?”

He looked at his sister, bewildered
, trying to stand. His hand went to his head as if it were spinning, then sat back down. “Oh, I don’t feel right.”

“
I bet you don’t. Oh, come on, Zach. Grow up. You promised me. You didn’t drive in this condition. Please, God, tell me you didn’t.”

“
If you would be quiet for just a minute, sis, I would tell you. I don’t think we went out. The last thing I remember is having a beer and watching TV. We were waiting for Alex to call to meet up. I think I fell asleep. Is Randy still here?”

“
He’s in my bedroom. Where I need to be, Zach. I wanted to take a nap myself. What are your plans today, anyway? Have you seen Dad?”

Zach smiled slightly
, as if the effort hurt. “Ever the mother, sis? Like I told you yesterday, I just needed to crash here last night. I can take care of myself, you know. Dad, well, he’s doing what he does best. As long as it’s not Friday night through Sunday, he’s fine.”

“
Okay, okay,” Cameron said, relaxing back into her protective mode. Years of habitual behavior took over. “Where’s your car? You didn’t park it in your usual spot.”

A confused look crossed Zach’s face. Running his fingers through his hair, he tried to collect his thoughts. His eyes caught sight of his keys by his laptop on the coffee table. He shook his head.
“I thought I did. I better go check.”

“
No, don’t bother. It’s probably on the other side. I’ll make you some breakfast. Give me your clothes. I’ll put in the wash real quick.”

She looked back at her brother as she opened the fridge
door for the eggs. She frowned. Something didn’t feel right, and she couldn’t shake the ominous feeling that came over her.

*
* * *

Seven thirty-eight p
.m. Brophy sighed. The day had been a whirlwind. Now, they waited only for the wheels of justice to turn. He waited only for the word they had the search warrants needed. Centrello held back on making a move until everything was in order.

Waters walked over to Brophy’s desk. He stretched. It had been a long day and there was no end in sight.

“Have a couple of uniforms at the kid’s address. He won’t be able to make a move without our knowledge,” Waters stated, more to himself, as if saying it out loud reinforced the information.

Brophy looked up at his partner. He reached in his pocket for his Tums. His heartburn was acting up again. Seemed he had lived off them the last few months.
It wasn’t going to get better, not with the high-priority headline case. The high pressure stakes were evident with the usual still and quiet of the room at this time of night replaced with a scurry of activity.

Brophy’s phone rang. A moment later, Brophy rose and gave an affirmative nod to Waters.
They had the search warrants needed.

“
I hope that’s good news.”

Turning, Brophy knew instinctively who it was. He responded to his brother-in-law,
“About time. Expected to see you earlier. A little slower in responding now that you’re thinking of leaving?”

Darren responded with a knowing smile. Darren had always been
an intimidating figure: six two, broad shoulders, dark hair, and eyes that seemed to be able to see into one’s soul. No, Brophy thought, he wouldn’t want to have to be on the other end of Darren’s wrath. He had seen it before in case after case. Darren showed no mercy.

“
We’ll see. I take it you are about to bring in the suspect. Hope it’s good. I gave up my night for this.”

“
Wouldn’t be a brunette from the Bruins game last night?” Waters laughed. Brophy looked over at Waters. He shrugged. “I ran into McMann downstairs. Said he saw Kennedy with a brunette last night.”

“
We all have to make sacrifices, but you guys better have something good, because this is going to cost me to make it up to her.”

Darren surprised Brophy with his demeanor. He didn’t often let his guard down about his private life. Darren quickly regained his concentration on the case at hand.
“Been on the phone with the DA offices of the other two cases. You know, just shooting the breeze.”

Brophy shook his head at Darren’s attempt at humor.
“Well, hopefully, we will have something soon. Got the search warrants. Waters and I are going to bring the kid in for questioning.”

“
You think it’s the guy?”

Brophy grimaced
. “Let’s just say if he’s not the man, I think he has a connection.”

“
Then make sure you do everything by the numbers, boys. I want this one bad.”

“
Darren, I think we know what we’re doing.”

“
I don’t want any mistakes. I want to get this kid in here before he can lawyer up,” Darren reiterated. “You realize that the FBI thinks there is a connection between these murders and a series of murders in Virginia. They are sending over a 
forensic psychiatrist
, a Dr. Malcolm Levy. I’ve already talked with him.”

“
Let me guess,” Brophy interrupted. His opinion of profiles was just a little higher than calling the psychic hotline. “Between twenty and thirty-five, white male. Probably severely abused in childhood by a trusted male. The killings are on the revenge type for that abuse. Killing a weaker subordinate to vindicate himself of probable sexual feelings he feels are wrong. With the amount of violence, the guy has a large amount of pent-up frustration and anger, and will continue until caught. We should have this wrapped up before midnight.”

“
You’re a funny guy, Broph. We have to work with them, or we’ll be pulled completely off it. Technically, we have our homicide. I would like to close it out on this one without the FBI. They can have him after we’re done with him.”

“
I wouldn’t get my hopes up that this kid is responsible for some sort of murdering spree, Darren. I have already told Centrello that my instincts say there is more going on here. Seems strange to me that all of a sudden we have leads. I’ve discounted a copycat. Might be a game of sorts.”

Darren scowled. Brophy saw the idea of catching a serial murder
er appealed to Darren, but never let it be said that Darren couldn’t call an audible.

“
You’re right. I’m getting ahead of myself. Let’s concentrate on this murder first. I have faith in you guys. Bring in the kid and see where it leads.”

“
It’s what I’m planning on doing.” Brophy tilted his head toward the door. “It’s where we are going.”

“
Yeah, sounds good. I’ll wait here,” Darren said. Then he nodded toward Waters. “Can you give us a minute?”

“
I’ll get the car. I’ll pick you up downstairs,” Waters agreed. “It’s not far anyway.”

Darren waited only until Waters was out of earshot. He turned his attention to his brother-in-law.

“You look like shit, Broph,” Darren said. “You should have called and told me.”

In spite of himself
, Brophy felt his stomach tense. The last thing he wanted was to rehash his situation. “Not much to tell. It’s final, over.”

“
I talked with Lauren. She told me it was official. Said you signed everything over.”

Brophy shrugged.
“Didn’t matter. She has the kids, so she needed the house.”

“
Where are you living?”

A laugh escaped Brophy.
“Why? You would put me up? I don’t think so.”

Darren’s life was organized. Everything had a place, an order.

“I didn’t say forever, but I have an extra bedroom.”

“
Nah, I have a studio for right now, close to Lauren and the kids.”

Darren changed his tone.
“You know I’m here for you, Broph. I know I’m the only family you have left besides the kids and your parents…but what the hell were you thinking?”

Brophy suppressed an anger building up within him. He shot back,
“You know, Darren, marriage isn’t a fucking walk in the park. I know you were married to my sister and thank God you made her happy, but you never had to deal with life’s problems day in and out.”

“
No,” Darren said briskly. “Just life and death.”

“
Yeah, that’s what I’m fucking trying to tell you. You have no idea. You have chosen to martyr Sara. You won’t know about a real marriage, because no one will ever be able to compare with the perfect Sara. I’m glad Sara was perfect, because her brother is far from it. You want to know what happened? I fucked up. I can tell you why.”

Brophy took a deep breath in. Darren had asked. He might not like the answer, but by God
, he was going to hear it now. “I crossed a line I shouldn’t have. Thought I could keep the affair under wraps. It worked out just fine until Josie wanted more. She started talking nonsense and clung to me. I broke it off and she went to Lauren. Didn’t take kindly to the fact I had no intention of getting a divorce. The affair meant absolutely nothing.” He gave a short laugh. “Now look at me. I confessed to Lauren and begged for forgiveness. Being the supportive wife, she kicked me out. No second chances for me. Said she was tired of everything…the late nights…something about it probably wasn’t the first time.”

“
Was it?”

“
No, it wasn’t. She was right. Now, brother, is that what you wanted to hear?”

Darren studied Brophy for a moment.
“You should have come to me. Could have helped you with the legal matters.”