Locking You (The Boston Kirkpatrick's #2) (5 page)

Chapter 8

Brendan

     I throw the SUV into Joella’s parking spot in the lot. She jumps out and runs into the station. I follow behind her. I need to know what is happening with Connor. I promised her I wouldn’t interfere with her investigation, but she has to understand also that this is my brother, my flesh and blood. I will fight tooth and nail for him. I’m not going to sit back and let someone set him up and have him take the fall. No way in hell is that happening.

     She goes right to Watson’s office as I expect her to. I try to sneak in with her, but she turns around and tells me to sit in the chair and wait for Reggie to get there. She better believe that I will have my own talk with Watson when she is interviewing Connor. Just because one person says oh Connor did it, that doesn’t mean he did.

     I sit quietly in the chair as I was told. My cell phone rings. It’s Jessica again. Why the fuck is this bitch calling me again? Ever since I got engaged, she has been trying extra hard to be my friend. I don’t want her at all, plus she is married. If I answer, I’m wrong. If I don’t answer, I’m still wrong because she called. Joella is totally going to take it the wrong way no matter what I do. I clearly don’t want Jessica. Joella is the only one for me. I need to deal with this issue tomorrow.

     The sites you see in a police station are unreal. There are some crazy wackjobs in this world. One of the police officers, John, I know from the club brought in a hooker who has no shoes on and one of her tits hanging out. What do you do in that type of situation? I don’t think I could deal with this crap day in and day out. I really feel for the love of my life. What possesses her to want to do this type of work? 

     I am now getting antsy. I need information. This is bullshit. I’m going to knock on the damn door. Someone owes me an explanation.  Just as I am about to get up to bang on Watson’s door, Joella comes storming out. “I’ll be in interrogation room#2,” she screams out to Watson, as she slams his door shut.

     “Sweetie, are you okay,” I ask her.

      “Not now. Just go home. I’ll be there later. I’ll have Wilson drop me off.”

     Hell to the fucking no. I know she doesn’t think I’m going to sit back while she becomes close with this guy.

     “I don’t think so,” I call out to her.

     “What?”

     “You heard me. No. He’s not driving you home. I’ll wait here for you to get done.”

     “You’re being a dickhead and I don’t like it. Let’s talk about Jessica. I don’t think you want to go into this now do you.”

     We are arguing as we walk down a hallway. There is a cop standing outside of the interrogation room. He is a little shorter than me, not by much. He has dark brown hair and looks like he works out. When he sees Joella walk up, I could tell by the look in his eyes that he wants her. Maybe she is blind to it, but I’m a guy and I know that look.

     She turns to me and gives me a look that said don’t start your shit.

     “Wilson, this is my fiancé, Brendan. Brendan this is Wilson.”

     He shakes my hand. “It’s so great to meet you. Joella talks about you all the time.”

    
Funny, I just found out about you two hours ago.             

    
I just smile and let it go. “Great to meet you, Wilson.”  I address Joella. “I’m leaving. You and I need to talk later. Make sure you speak with Reggie when he gets here. He will be representing Connor. I take it you have a ride home.” I give her a look and walk away. I need to go home and think. I am pissed and if I stay here I might say or do something I am going to regret. It is close to 10 P.M. I decide to go to the one place I can get my frustrations out. I go to Hush.      

     Mike is bartending and I need someone to talk to. The place is jam packed, but since the incident with Connor, we became close friends. Connor bought Hush back a few months ago from Mike, when he moved back to Boston. I know for a fact it is taking a toll on him. He has a lot going on with his family life. He is having a lot of issues with Callie. She wants to see her mother in prison and he doesn’t think it’s a good idea.

     I walk up to Mike and shake his hand. “Hey, dude. What’s up? I’ll take a lager.”

     “Coming right up. What brings you here? You barely come in anymore.”

     “Tough night. Connor got arrested.”

     “I know. They were in here looking for him. They told him he could either go to the station himself or they could take him out in handcuffs. He chose to go to the station.”

     “They always want to pull some shit with him. It’s ridiculous.”

     “I saw on the news that he is being questioned in the murder of Mr. O’Malley and the secretary, Miss Chestnut.”

     “That’s what they are saying. Joella said that Mrs. O’Malley tried to pin her husband’s death on me and Connor. I had an alibi. Connor was MIA. Joella will get to the bottom of this.”

     “You look like something else is bothering you.”

     “Fucking Jessica keeps calling me. I don’t want anything to do with her. She doesn’t get it and Joella is spending her time with a good looking rookie cop.”

     “Sounds like trouble in paradise. Dude, figure this shit out before you get married
again
, I might add.”

     “I know Joella loves me. I’m not questioning that. It’s the way he looked at her…like he wanted her. She’s my woman and he did it right in front of me. So imagine what he may try when I’m not around.”

     “Why don’t you just sleep on it? Just go home and talk about it when you’ve calmed down.”

     “Well, he’s driving her home since I have the car. I should have taken a fucking cab home.”

     I only stayed at the bar for 2 beers then I left. When I arrive home, I grab a chicken cutlet sandwich and put the Sox game on. I can’t concentrate but they are in extra innings and I need to watch this. My mind is on Connor, Joella, and the fucking Rookie. Watching the Sox distracts me a little bit. I drift off to sleep as the players charged the field when they win the game.

That’s the last thing I remember.

Chapter 9

Joella

     Brendan is so damn rude…whatever…I can play his game. I knew he would react the way he did if he met Wilson in person. That was the main reason why I didn’t want him to come to the station. Wilson is standing here with a perplexed look on his face.

     “What’s wrong with him?” he asks me as I’m about to set up the video recorder.

     “He’s just pissed off because his brother has been arrested.” I wouldn’t dare say he’s pissed because he thinks you want to fuck me. I can just see that now.

     “I’m pissed because I know Connor is not responsible and the assholes we work for played into their game.  They’re using him to bide themselves time. If I focus on Connor, which they know I will, they have time to “get away with it”. Any other cop would have arrested Connor, found some stupid connection, made it look like it’s him and closed the case. Me- I’m thorough.”

     “We’ll figure it out.”

     “I need a minute with my brother-in-law before we begin recording. I’ll be out to turn it on. Make sure no one touches the machine. This is off record.”

    I am fuming inside, but I have to do my job. My interrogation has to be on point to get Connor off. If they find one loophole they will book him. Watson is going to be watching the entire interrogation. I walk into the room and Connor jumps out of his seat.

     “Thank Gawd you’re here. They fucking think I killed people.” He is clearly distraught.

     “Connor, I’m going to be questioning you. You need to just tell the truth. Don’t curse. I will be cursing enough for both of us. I’m recording the questioning because I want to make sure that nothing gets misinterpreted being that I’m going to be your sister-in-law. Watson agreed.”

     “He’s a damn asshole. He knows I didn’t do it.”

     “Well they have nothing so they need to look good by bringing in a suspect. They waited until I was off-duty nonetheless. Don’t worry it’s going to be okay. I’m going to turn the recorder on and come back in here. Be calm.”

     “Thanks, Joella. Love ya girl. Brendan’s a lucky man.”

     “Yeah, well he’s not going to be so lucky when I kick his ass tonight.”

     “I’m scared of you.” We both started laughing.

     As I leave the interrogation room, Detective Shea is walking down the hallway. He’s a know-it-all, plus he’s just a straight up dick. I wouldn’t be surprised if he had something to do with Connor being taken in for questioning. He’s around the same age as Connor. Rumor has it that he hates the Kirkpatrick’s…like really hates them. Apparently it started in high school when Connor slept with his girlfriend. A fair fist fight erupted, but then a couple of Shea’s friends jumped in. Brendan and Billy came to Connor’s rescue and beat the crap out of Shea. He has had a vendetta against them from way back when…so I hear. I need to ask Brendan about it whenever I decide to speak to him again.

     “Should you be laughing with the suspect whom you happen to be related to?”

     “Mind your business, detective. I don’t care how much longer you’ve been a detective than me, so you mention time and time again. You’ve been an asshole even longer than that.”

     “Good luck getting him off.”

     “Don’t you have some rookies to harass?”

     “I’ll be laughing when he goes to jail for life…for murder.”

     That’s it. I had enough of his shit. He’s going down. “Why you want him away so bad? Are you trying to hide him from your wife?”

     “Bitch!”

     Watson walks up in the middle of our spat. “Enough,” he says, glaring at both of us. “Shea go back to your desk. Soriano, get ready for interrogation.”

     Watson whispers in my ear when he’s out of sight. “Don’t let him get to you. You’ll do great. Now go free this one, so we can go find the killer for gawd’s sake.”

     “I honestly don’t think Connor killed anyone. Mrs. O’Malley keeps saying he did it; therefore we need to question it, find the connection between him and Mrs. O’Malley and why she has something against him. Oh God, I’m scared to ask.”

     Watson laughs, knowing what I mean.

     “Oh, and just so you know, she filed a complaint against you today.”

     “Great, just great. I’m not surprised.”

     “I heard you uh…sang her a song? Wilson, she any good?”

     “Oh Yeah, the next
American Idol
,” he says sarcastically.

     “Whatever, jackass.” I push his arm jokingly.

     “Alright Soriano, go in there and kick ass. You got this.”

     I enter the room again and make the sign of the cross.
Dear God give me strength

     “
Mr. Kirkpatrick”

     “Detective”

     “I’m going to start by saying you have been brought in for questioning in the death of Mr. Kieran O’Malley and Miss. Natalie Chestnut.”

     “I have no idea who she is.”

     “Where were you the night Mr. O’Malley was killed?”

     “I was at
Hush
until 2 A.M.”

     “Can you please clarify what
Hush
is?”

     “It is a nightclub/ strip club that I own”

     “Thank You. What happened after you left?”

     “My wife Wendy called to tell me that my daughter Callie was having nightmares and wanted me. I went straight home and was there for the rest of the night. I was scheduled to have a meeting the next morning but it was cancelled due to Mr. O’Malley’s death.”

     “Did you go anywhere else when you left the club?”

     “Nope. I went straight home. You can speak with my wife. I also have a camera in the doorway of my club. You can see my leaving. You can also verify this information with my bartender Mike.”

     “Thank You. I will reach out to them. Let’s talk about the meeting. Who was the meeting with and how was Mr. O’Malley involved?”

     As I ask this question, Watson knocks on the door and calls me out of the room. Connor is doing great so far.

     “Excuse me a minute. I’ll be right back.”

     “Connor’s lawyer is here,” Watson says to me.

     “Okay thanks. Send him in.” I walk back into the room. Mr. Reginald Orlando is a very nice man, but don’t piss him off. He turns into an attack dog. I’ve met him several times. He is Brendan’s personal lawyer.

     He walks into the interrogation room with all the confidence in the world. He and Connor exchange greetings.

     “Miss Soriano is Mr. Kirkpatrick being charged?”

     “Not at this time. I am questioning him to get to the bottom of this. I need him to tell the truth and answer my questions. I’m videotaping this so there is no confusion.” He knows what I mean since I’m Brendan’s fiancé.

     “Very well. You can continue.”

     “So back to the meeting, who were you meeting with and how was Mr. O’Malley involved?”

     “The meeting was with the bankers, investors, and my brother, Brendan Kirkpatrick. I’m sure you’ve heard of him.”

     “Funny. What were you meeting about?”

     “Brendan was going to go over some plans in regards to purchasing Mr. O’Malley’s casino and hotel.”

     “Why were
you
supposed to be there?”

     “I was there because we were thinking of opening a Hush II inside of the casino. We were going to discuss financial information regarding the purchase and what the costs would be to add additional amenities.”

     “How did this all come about? The plan I mean.”

     Mr. and Mrs. O’Malley are frequent visitors of my club, Hush. Mr. O’Malley was sitting at my bar one night. He was talking about his failing business. He asked if I knew anyone who would want to buy it from him. Being that it’s a casino, I didn’t think it was a good idea that I purchase it. I’m a recovering gambler. I immediately thought of my brother. It seemed like a great opportunity for him. It was right up his alley…restaurants, bars, spas, etc. When I proposed the idea to Brendan he was leery. When I finally got him to agree, that was when we had set up a previous meeting with Mr. O’Malley and his CFO. We worked out some things and then decided that Brendan and I would meet with the banker and investors the morning of the murder. Brendan text me to tell me it was cancelled. I was kind of happy because I was exhausted from the night before, but when I found out the real reason I was devastated. It’s very sad and tragic. No one deserves to die that way.”

     “No, they don’t. So you knew the victim and his wife prior to the incident.”

     “I knew them from the club. They came in a lot.”

     “Did you ever notice anything suspicious with them?”

     “Reggie chimed in. “You don’t have to answer that question.”

     “It’s okay. I have nothing to hide. Detective, I set rules in my club. Whatever happens on their own time is not my issue. If someone’s in the bathroom making sex deals or drug deals I can’t help that. I can’t put video cameras in there. I can only control what I know and see. You would be surprised the people that come into the club that you would never expect…people in high power. I see doctors, lawyers, congressman, businessman, yes, even policemen. Mr. O’Malley really only drank at the bar, had an occasional lap dance, maybe even went to a private room once or twice.”

     “What about Mrs. O’Malley? Why does she keep saying you’re responsible?”

     Connor was hesitant. He needs to tell me all I need to know…no matter what it is.

     “Mrs. O’Malley wants to fuck me and bad for some reason. I have no idea why. She even offered me money. She’s told me that she has to have me because I look like a hot piece of ass. She doesn’t like to be told no. Mr. O’Malley knew about it too, that she wanted to fuck me. I think they are swingers or some kind of shit like that. I don’t know, but she’s mad because I turned her down. She told me I would regret turning her down. That’s probably why she’s saying that I killed people. You can ask Mike about it, she doesn’t hide the fact either. She’s actually a hoochie mama. She gets drunk in the club and acts like a nympho.”

     “That’s very interesting because she comes off to me like an upper class bitch.”

     “Oh, she is believe me and Kieran was giving her a bad name. They had said something like they didn’t want her daddy to find out about them losing the casino. They wanted to make it look like they decided to sell the casino and move to Florida. I think there is probably a lot more secrets, but that’s all I know. Brendan and I were in it for the investment.”

     “Thank You Connor. If I need videos can you supply them?”

     “Sure. I don’t know how helpful they will be.”

     “You’d be surprised. I’ll be right back.”

     I exit the interrogation room. Mrs. O’Malley called all the shots
. I’m gonna bring you down bitch.

    “
Watson, I need to see you in your office…now!!!!” I demand as I walk right by him. I am one pissed off detective right now. Watson follows behind me and closes the door.

     “Clearly he’s innocent. She’s framing him. I want him released. If anything she should be taken in for her husband’s murder.”

     “Joella, you don’t know that.”

     “We brought Connor in on
her
word.” Watson knows I mean business right now. “Release him now, and if Connor did it you can throw me in jail with him. That’s how positive I am that it’s not him.”

     “I’ll sign his release papers, but he’s under your watch. If it is him, it’s your badge.”

    
He didn’t just fucking go there.

     “
Really! That’s where you want to go with this. I know you don’t like fucking Connor, but don’t turn into Shea.”

     “Joella,” he calls out to me, but I’m halfway through the station.

     I walk back into the room. “Connor you’re free to go, but don’t leave yet.”

     “Why, what’s up?”

     “I need a ride. I now have to go deal with the other asshole at home.”

     “Lord Gawd. I’m staying out of that mess.”

     “You’re better off.”