Passions of the Dead (A Detective Jackson Mystery/Thriller) (18 page)

Carla came outside and sat in the lawn chair next to him. “How’d your day go?”

“Crappy. I turned in three applications at restaurants that weren’t hiring and spent the afternoon learning how to get through an interview I won’t be called for. How was your day?”

“Even crappier.”

Jared reached over and held his wife’s hand. He was plenty worried, but Carla took it all into her heart and let it eat away at her. There was nothing he could do or say to comfort her. He had tried.

After a moment, she said, “I’m worried about Lori.”

“Me too. She seems unhappy.”

“She told me yesterday someone was sexually harassing her.”

A bolt of adrenaline shot him forward in the chair. “Who?”

“Lori wouldn’t tell me, so I think it’s someone we know. Someone she’s protecting.”

“When I find out who it is, I’m gonna kick his sorry ass.”

Carla sighed. “That is why Lori didn’t give me his name. She knew you’d react this way. She mostly wanted to know how to handle it.”

“What did you tell her?”

“I told her to say ‘sexual harassment’ to him anytime his behavior was inappropriate and to stay away from him as much as possible.”

Jared didn’t want to know, yet he had to ask. “What exactly is happening? Is he grabbing her ass?”

“Lori was pretty vague.”

“Goddamnit.” Jared jumped up and paced the small porch. “Is it that mama’s boy manager at the restaurant?”

“I asked her and she said no.” Carla pushed her hands through her hair.

“Who is it? A teacher?”

“School is almost over for the year. Maybe this will resolve itself.”

“And if it’s not a teacher? Where else is Lori hanging out?”

“She’s at Jenna’s sometimes.” Carla bit her lip and looked away.

“What are you thinking?”

“She’s been over at Tracy and Kevin’s a lot lately. The last time we were over there, I thought I saw Kevin looking at her that way.”

“No shit? Are you sure?” Jared had never warmed to Kevin, even after all these years, but Kevin was his sister’s husband. This could cause huge trouble between him and Tracy.

“It was just a look, Jared,” Carla said, trying to sooth him. “I don’t know what was in his mind. Forget I said anything.” His wife patted his knee. “Why don’t you go watch some TV and forget about everything for a while. I know you want to.” She gave him one of her special smiles. For a moment, Jared’s heart felt light because Carla still loved him. She went inside to get on the internet, while he kept thinking about the jackass who was coming on to his daughter.

Later, Jared had to get out of the house. When he was working, all he wanted to do was come home and relax. Now that he was unemployed, he was restless and constantly wanted to leave. His kissed Carla, told her not to worry, then hustled out to his truck, which now had a For Sale sign in the window. He’d told Carla he was just going for a drive, but he knew he would end up at the Time Out Tavern. One beer, he told himself. A single beer wouldn’t make or break their budget. Maybe he’d run into a friend who would buy him a second beer.

The tavern was on a side street in west Eugene in the middle of an industrial area. The location was genius, catching factory workers as they left their miserable jobs. Once you started drinking in a certain place and got to know everyone, you kept coming back, even if you quit the factory or moved across town. Jared had been coming here since his brief employment at Whittier Wood Products nearly fifteen years ago.

The bar was nothing special. Dark, noisy, and crowded, like any drinking hole. The pool tables and dart boards were a nice addition because they got Jared off his barstool every once in a while. Usually the moment he crossed the threshold he felt better. Someone always called out his name and the bartender poured him a Miller on tap without even asking.

Tonight was no exception. Yet neither of those things took the edge off. Jared nursed his beer and chatted with Charlie, an old timer who’d been coming to the tavern longer than Jared.

Around eight, Roy Engall walked in with two of his crew. It was the first time Jared had seen Roy since his layoff. Adrenaline rushed into his gut. Jared had typed up the blackmail note but hadn’t delivered it yet. He’d been holding out, hoping he’d find a job. There were no jobs and they hadn’t paid their rent this month.

He and Roy nodded at each other and Roy went to the other side of the room. Darrell and Tyler, his ex-co-workers, stopped by and asked friendly questions about his job search. Jared appreciated the gesture, but he didn’t care to be around Roy’s stepson Tyler. A little later, the bartender set another beer in front of him and said it was from Roy. Jared felt a pang of guilt. He planned to deliver the letter tomorrow, maybe leave it in Roy’s truck. He didn’t want Noni to see it first.

Jared drank the beer and played a game of pool with Darrell. His fellow painter sunk the eight ball too early and bought him another beer. Jared drank half, then decided to go home. A moment later, his brother-in-law walked in. They hadn’t spoken to each other since Nick had been arrested. Tracy had called and Jared had responded politely, but his sister was on his shit list too. Jared nodded at Kevin, then turned away. He knew he should leave the bar immediately. Yet he didn’t.

He kept his eye on Kevin, watching him flirt with the cocktail waitress. When had his brother-in-law become such a shit? Jared would never forgive him for calling the cops on Nick and accusing his son of stealing, especially when Kevin’s own son was an addict, and consequently, had once been a part-time thief. Now Kevin was humiliating Jared’s sister by openly flirting with every woman in reach. Had the dog fucker also touched his sweet little Lori?

He eyeballed Kevin for nearly an hour. Jared was just getting up to go home when he saw Kevin pay his tab at the bar. Jared slid off his barstool and strode toward the door, feeling a little unsteady. How many beers had he drunk? It would be good to get outside for some fresh air. After he talked to Kevin, he’d go home. Maybe take a walk first to sober up or call Carla to come get him if he had to.

In the parking lot he found Kevin’s van and leaned up against the driver’s side door to wait. Jared thought about the
For Sale
sign in the back window of his own truck and felt a fresh wave of anger.

He heard the crunch of gravel and looked up to see Kevin. “What do you want, Jared? Say what you have to say, then get out of my way. I’m not in the mood for trouble.” Kevin stopped four feet away.

“You’ve sure caused plenty of it.”

“I didn’t start this shit.” Kevin’s breath reeked of cigarettes. He had supposedly quit years ago.

“Why the hell did you call the police on Nick? That was out of line.”

“He stole my Lou Gehrig. It’s worth two grand. I’m supposed to let that go?”

“You’re supposed to talk to us. We’re family.”

“You would have denied it then, like you’re denying it now.”

“He didn’t do it.” Jared lurched forward, closing the gap between them. “You’re mistaken about when you saw the card last.”

“Bullshit.”

“What about Shane? We know he’s stolen things in the past. He’s been arrested for it.”

“Only when he was using and
never
from us.”

“Maybe he’s using again.”

“He’s not.” Kevin’s jaw locked in place.

“You’re so fucking blind when it comes to Shane. I know he’s your son, but get real.” Jared let the anger swell and his voice got loud. “The police searched our house and arrested Nick. He had a joint in his pocket and now he has a possession charge.”

“I didn’t mean for any of that to happen.” Kevin didn’t sound sorry.

“I think you wanted it to happen so Shane wasn’t the only kid in the family with a record.”

Kevin came toward him and was now in striking range. “Leave Shane out of this.”

“I don’t want Shane at my house anymore.”

“He’s a legal adult. I can’t control where he goes.”

“That’s the problem.” Jared reached over and tapped Kevin’s chest to make his point. “You’ve never been able to control your own son.”

Kevin grabbed Jared’s hand and squeezed. “Don’t touch me. You’ll regret it.”

Jared jerked his hand free. “Speaking of touching. Keep your hands off my daughter.”

“What the hell are you talking about?”

“I’m talking about Lori. You’ve been sexually harassing her and it better goddamn stop.”

“That’s crazy! Did she tell you that?”

“She told Carla someone was getting grabby with her and Carla has seen you looking at Lori.”

“Bullshit!” Kevin’s eyes flared with a wild look. “You’re the one who needs to keep Lori out of my house and away from Shane.”

“What are you saying?”

“Lori is after Shane, you idiot. She’s been trying to seduce him for months.”

Jared lunged forward and grabbed Kevin’s t-shirt with both hands. The blood vessels in his temples wanted to burst. “You lying sack of shit! You touch her again and I’ll beat you into a coma.”

Their faces were inches apart.

“Wise up, Jared.” Kevin pulled free and turned away. Before Jared could respond, Kevin wheeled around and sucker punched him in the gut. The sharp blow made him suck in his breath. What the hell? As Kevin stumbled back, Jared saw the key sticking out of his fist. The fucker! Jared clenched his hands and lurched forward, ready to pulverize him. His brother-in-law saw the look on his face and scrambled to get away. Kevin’s feet slipped in the gravel and he fell back.

Smack! Kevin’s head slammed into the door handle on his truck and he collapsed on the ground.

Oh shit!
Jared’s heart hammered like overworked cylinders. “Kevin.” He kneeled down and shook him. “Kevin.” Blood soaked through the prone man’s hair. Jared fumbled for his cell phone, flipped it open, then heard a moan. “Kevin, tell me you’re okay.”

Kevin opened his eyes but didn’t respond. Jared scanned the parking lot and didn’t see anyone coming or going. He reached into Kevin’s shirt pocket, pulled out the cell phone, and dialed 911. “This is Kevin Compton. I need help.” Jared paused for effect. “I’m in the parking lot at the Time Out Tavern on West 5th.” He clicked the phone closed and put it back in the pocket.

Jared jogged to his truck, his heart still racing. Kevin would be fine, he told himself. He was just a little dazed. Jared climbed behind the wheel and waited a moment for his legs to stop shaking. His stomach throbbed and he no longer felt too drunk to drive. Adrenaline had burned through his buzz and he was sick with worry. He started the engine, backed out, and barreled toward the side exit. In the rearview mirror, he saw Darrel and Tyler coming out of the bar. Would they recognize his truck in the fading light?

Thoughts jumbled in his head as he drove. It wasn’t his fault. He never even touched Kevin. In fact, Kevin had punched him. Jared pressed his fingers against the wound and felt a little blood. Why had Kevin hit him? Kevin was the ass-grabbing, lying sack of shit. He couldn’t believe what his sorry brother-in-law had said about Lori. Such crap. Kevin was just trying to distract him from the real situation: his brother-in-law coming on to his daughter.

A moment of uncertainty came over Jared. Could it be true? Lori and Shane had sure spent a lot of time together lately. No. They were cousins. Jared rejected the idea they could be sexually involved. Still, he wouldn’t let Lori go over to the Comptons’ house by herself again. It would break his sister’s heart, but he had to protect Lori from whatever was going on.

Jared sped down the road, trying to put it all out of mind. His heart didn’t stop pounding until he saw the lights of an ambulance coming the other way.

The new crime lab had been built in an old railroad neighborhood with a hodgepodge of ancient businesses and houses begging to be torn down. City officials had chosen the property because it was cheap, with the idea the public would never need to visit. The gray-brick exterior had no markings except for the street number above the door, which faced a small side parking lot.

Jackson drove up to the gate and flashed his ID at the camera mechanism. When the gate slid open, he drove onto the property and parked near the first bay door. Once inside, he headed for the check-in room where he placed Carla’s purse and Lori’s backpack into a locker. The backside of the locker opened into the evidence processing lab. The system allowed officers to securely drop off evidence without disrupting the lab technicians. Jackson logged the items into the computer terminal, then went upstairs to meet with Parker.

He found her in the hallway outside her office. Dressed in all chocolate brown, she looked taller and thinner than usual. “Detective Jackson, you’re early.”

Did he detect a hint of amusement on her stoic face?
“We have some things to go over before we reconstruct the scene. Do you have a minute?”

“Of course. I’m glad you’re here.” Parker walked away, pulling on a white lab coat. “I have something to show you.”

The main lab, about the size of a large living room, had equipment along three walls and a stainless steel table in the middle. The “superglue dryer,” where they processed large items for fingerprints, took up a big chunk of space. A pair of white paint-stained running shoes sat on the table, surrounded by oversized photos of bloody shoe prints. The photos he’d taken when he first entered the crime scene.