JACKS ARE WILD Read online

  Kiku smiled. Replacement scowled at her.

  Kiku pulled the sheet a little tighter around herself. “I honestly did come out to check on him, but, I agree, you can’t lie with someone like that and have it not be sexual.”

  “Thanks.” Jack turned back to Replacement. “Nothing happened.”

  Wrapped in the sheet, Kiku walked with little steps back to the bedroom. She gazed over her shoulder at Jack. “I am sorry. That is also true.” She shut the door.

  Jack and Replacement stared at each other. Replacement’s face began to scrunch up.

  Jack cocked his head. “You and I are stopped, remember?”

  “It’s my fault, I suppose,” she muttered as she walked over to the couch to sit down.

  “Why?” he blurted out.

  Shut up, you idiot.

  She frowned. “You’re right. I’m not fair to you. I’m sorry.”

  Nod your head.

  Jack pressed his lips together and nodded.

  “Go sleep in my room.” Replacement held her hand out toward her bedroom.

  “No. I got the couch—”

  “Yeah, right.” Replacement rolled her eyes. “I’m not leaving you out here alone. Go.”

  I’m not getting her a gun.

  Jack dipped his head, turned, walked to her bedroom, and shut the door.

  Damocles

  As Jack opened his eyes, he stared at the ceiling. When they had moved downstairs, Replacement picked out a simple, single bed for herself. She’d originally gone for the cheapest, but he got her the super comfortable one instead. After sleeping on it himself now, he didn’t want to get up. He was exhausted but he knew he couldn’t just lie there.

  I got that one call from Ilario and nothing. Where is she? Paolo was only told to come to Darrington. Told to come.

  Jack tossed the comforter off as he leaped out of bed.

  Damn. My clothes are in front of the couch. Great.

  He opened the door and peeked out. Someone was making breakfast, but he could see Replacement at the computer so he closed the door and grabbed a blanket off the bed.

  I should have just sprung for her own apartment.

  After he wrapped the blanket around himself, he walked over to the couch. Kiku looked up from the kitchen and smirked. Replacement spun around in her chair and, after she closed her mouth, a satisfied grin spread across her lips.

  “Morning,” he mumbled as he grabbed his clothes before he shuffled into the bedroom.

  After he pulled on his pants, he headed straight for Kiku.

  “How are you feeling?” He looked at her now black eye.

  The swelling had gone done considerably, but a long, deep bruise caused him to wince just looking at it.

  “I feel well. Would you care for some breakfast?”

  “Love some.”

  Jack glanced at the stove clock: 11:45 a.m.

  “Don’t worry, we both slept in.” Kiku smiled.

  Replacement’s keystrokes got even louder. “I didn’t,” she called over her shoulder.

  “Have you eaten?” he asked.

  Replacement nodded.

  He looked at Kiku, who shook her head. “I waited for you.”

  Replacement’s mouse banged against the desk.

  I’m surrounded by way too much estrogen.

  Jack bowed his head and, just as his eyes began to close, he saw Kiku do the same. With one eye open, he stared at her. After a moment, she opened her eyes to look questioningly at him.

  “Would you like for me to say grace, Officer?”

  “Sure…I didn’t know you…I say grace, but I didn’t want to force you.”

  She closed her eyes. “God, I thank you for this food, and I ask that it make our bodies and minds strong. Give us the grace to accept the trials that come our way. In Christ, I ask this.”

  Replacement spun around in her chair. “That was nice.”

  Jack leaned closer to Kiku. “She rates prayers. That was actually a big compliment.”

  “Thank you. I spent two years in a Christian orphanage in Korea.”

  “How old were you?” Replacement asked.

  “Nine.”

  “I guess we’re more alike than I realized,” Replacement said.

  As Kiku nodded, Replacement turned back to the computer to continue typing.

  “What is the order of the day, Officer?” Kiku inquired.

  “We wait.” Jack plopped down on the couch.

  **********

  They spent the day waiting for something to break: Jack paced and did push-ups, Replacement searched the computer, and Kiku cleaned her guns. Replacement checked on Marisa’s bank activity, phone, and email, but there was nothing. She looked through every system she could access for any and all clues. After sitting for hours in a chair, Jack saw her shove the mouse away, put her head back, and rub her eyes with the palms of her hands. He walked over to rub her back. “Should I order subs?”

  Replacement looked up with a lopsided grin. “Steak and cheese, baby.”

  “Do they have salads?” Kiku lay on her back on the couch while she checked the slide action of her Glock.

  “I think I have a menu in here.” Jack walked into the kitchen and went through the drawers. Finding no menus, he headed for the nightstand in the bedroom.

  Suddenly, he heard the police scanner come to life. He raced back into the living room. Replacement looked up. “They called for an ambulance at the tattoo parlor.”

  All three raced to put their shoes on and get their jackets.

  “I’ll drive.” Jack ran ahead but Kiku and Replacement rushed behind him.

  **********

  As the Impala rounded the corner to the tattoo parlor, Jack saw a police cruiser and an ambulance out front. A small crowd of people had gathered outside, making it difficult for Tom Kempy to maintain control as people tried to get in the front door.

  Jack walked up as another cruiser arrived at the scene. Because of the crowd, he couldn’t see who was driving and, at the moment, he didn’t care.

  “The paramedics are coming out, and we need to clear this doorway,” Tom tried to explain.

  One look at the faces of the crowd told Jack Tom’s approach wouldn’t work. Half of them looked concerned, while the others were just along for the ride, eager to see what was going on.

  “MOVE BACK!” Jack didn’t have his uniform on, but he was still all cop.

  He marched forward, making the crowd immediately start backing away from the entrance.

  “MOVE BACK! Give them space.” Jack kept walking until the path was clear.

  Two EMTs wheeled a stretcher out with Shawn Miller on it. He’d been really worked over. It was clear he was unconscious.

  Black eyes, broken jaw, nose, arm…

  Jack stopped his mental list of injuries to look back to an EMT, but struggled to remember his name.

  “Hey, boss,” he called out, deciding on a nickname that flattered, “did he say anything?”

  The young man shook his head. “A girl inside found him. She’s still pretty upset. How’ve you been?”

  Jack shook his hand. “Been better, thanks. I’m going to head in to talk to her. All right, everyone, let’s move back. Let’s keep the sidewalks clear.”

  “How can you set such a fine example of working police procedures and yet be a poster boy for how to infuriate Sheriff Collins?” The crowd parted as Robert Morrison, a tall, African-American man in his late fifties walked forward. Morrison wore the tan uniform of the sheriff’s department without the hat. His curly black hair was short and graying at the temples. Even though he had a smile on his face, Jack could see the look of disappointment in his eyes.

  “Undersheriff.” Jack nodded as he came to attention.

  “Don’t do that, son.” He stretched out his hand. “I appreciate the show of respect, but save it for Collins. Actually, just stay away from the man for now. Why the hell didn’t you call me?”

  “What was I going to say? Collins had already
made up his mind. Why drag you into a fight I can’t win?”

  “Because I can try to talk some sense into him.” As he turned, he looked up at the large sign over Marisa’s shop. “The girl you think is missing owns this place?”

  Jack nodded and then motioned for Morrison to go in. “The guy they just took out is the assistant manager, Shawn Miller.”

  Jack held open the door to let Morrison pass.

  “Can he give a statement?”

  “Not right now. Unconscious. EMT said a girl found him. I’d like to talk to her.”

  Morrison stopped to give him a look. “You’re going to let me handle that. Collins is out of town, but I keep expecting him to jump out of the floor and start yelling at me for even breathing the same air as you.”

  Jack rolled his eyes as he suddenly realized he didn’t see Kiku or Replacement anywhere.

  “Sir, I—”

  “Bring me up to speed after we talk to the girl.”

  They walked over to one of the front tables where Tom was talking to a crying girl.

  Tom snapped to attention as they came over.

  “Undersheriff. I have the scene under control, and I’m taking statements now.”

  “Good job, Tom.” Morrison nodded. “Miss? Can I ask you a few questions?”

  She sobbed into a handful of tissues but nodded.

  Morrison leaned down. “What happened when you came in?”

  Her face contorted. “I came to work, but I didn’t see Shawn. I called for him, but…I didn’t get any answer. I went to see if he was out back. Marisa’s office door was open. He was lying on the floor and there was blood everywhere.”

  “Did Shawn say anything?”

  She sobbed as she shook her head. “He was just moaning.”

  Morrison stood up and turned to Jack. “Do you know if this place has surveillance?”

  “None.”

  “I’m going to call it in to start a canvass of the neighborhood.”

  Jack walked over to the curtain.

  “Hold on, Jack,” Morrison called over while he shook his head.

  Jack looked down the hallway and saw Replacement outside Marisa’s office door. His jaw dropped open as he glared.

  She shrugged, turned, and whispered to someone inside. A second later, Kiku walked out and shook her head.

  Jack glowered as she grinned. The two women walked out the back entrance just as Morrison came over.

  “Morrison?” Sheriff Collins’s voice crackled over the radio. “Are you on scene?”

  Morrison looked wide-eyed at Jack. “Yes sir, I am.”

  “I’m en route. Five minutes,” Collins snapped while Morrison ran his hand over his hair. “If Stratton shows up, keep him the hell out of it.”

  “Yes, sir.” Morrison clicked his radio off and shook his head. “That’s your cue to make for the exit.”

  “I’m going to go out the back.” Jack started to walk down the hallway just as Morrison stomped after him.

  “Do you have any idea what he’ll do if he finds you here, Jack?”

  “I’ll just take a quick look. Two seconds. I know the office; it will help you.”

  “Lately you and help seem to go together like peanut butter and bullets.”

  Jack hurried down the corridor to take a quick look into the office. The tattoo table in the corner was covered in blood and there was blood splattered on the walls. The rest of the office looked undisturbed. Jack walked over to Marisa’s desk and looked at the papers stacked in neat piles.

  Shawn said he didn’t go back here. No way the desk was that neat when I left.

  He looked at the blood splatter.

  Damn. Someone really worked that guy over.

  Jack walked back out to find Morrison holding up his hands. “Do you have an opinion?”

  “Yeah, but I have about two minutes before Collins gets here.”

  “Go.” Morrison angled his head toward the exit.

  “Thanks.” Jack nodded and headed out the door.

  The alley was empty. He looked at the spot where the car would have parked when they took Marisa and exhaled.

  Jack walked to the end of the alley just as Collins’s Crown Vic pulled up in front of the tattoo parlor. He scanned the street, but the Impala was gone. He turned to head in the opposite direction of Collins.

  Replacement got the car out of there. That was smart. I’ll go over to Elderberry and—

  “Need a ride?” Jennifer Rivers called out as she pulled the unmarked car over to the curb.

  Jack looked down, stuck his hands in his pockets, and then rocked back on his heels. “I was just out for a walk, enjoying the night.”

  “I only have a minute, Stratton. Get in.”

  Jack only debated for a second before he hopped in the backseat. Jennifer glared into the rearview mirror.

  “Is there a reason you want me to look like a chauffeur?”

  “Yeah. I’m trying to have Collins not see me.”

  Jennifer pulled away from the curb. “If Walter knew I was talking to you, he’d have my head examined. I only have a few minutes. I may have a hit.”

  “Why are you telling me?”

  “We know the Mancinis are in town. Lots of them. We also learned Takeo sent a group here as well.”

  Kiku.

  Jack nodded.

  “We just got the call about the tattoo parlor, but we did intercept another call. It wasn’t part of our wiretaps. It was during a separate NSA investigation, but they received it a day ago and just now pushed it over to us. Walter thinks that you just peeved everyone off and led them here on a wild-goose chase. But…”

  Jack grabbed the back of the seat and pulled himself forward. “What did you get?”

  She took a left and then pulled into a doughnut shop drive-through.

  Jack’s hands went up. “You have a doughnut craving now?”

  “Walter and I just got to the tattoo parlor. I saw you, and I needed a reason to leave. There was a call to Severino. It just said ‘Darrington.’ Three medium coffees, regular, and an assorted half-dozen.” She spoke into the speaker and didn’t wait for an answer before she pulled forward. “The second call was to Takeo. We’re working on identifying the woman. They spoke in code and we’re trying to crack it.”

  “If it was code, why do you think it’s related?”

  “They traced the sending cell to a tower in Darrington.” Jennifer grabbed some bills from her pocketbook.

  “Did they understand any of the call?”

  “One word was Greek. Damocles. It’s part—”

  “I know the story,” Jack said.

  “Do you know what it means, then?” She looked back at him.

  Yeah, I’m letting my executioner sleep in my bed.

  Jack shook his head.

  Jennifer handed the teenage girl some cash and took the coffee.

  “I know you can really tick people off, Stratton.” Jennifer pulled away, driving directly to the other curb. “But for this much activity, there has to be something going on. Let me work on Walter.”

  Jack nodded. His brain was already trying to process the information he’d just gotten, and he didn’t care whether Prescott was onboard or not.

  “If I can show him the tattoo parlor, and everything else is connected…I know you didn’t hit it off, but he’s a great investigator. We’ll find her, Jack.”

  “Thanks for the heads-up.” Jack opened the door and got out.

  She smiled and quickly pulled away.

  Jack stood on the sidewalk as he watched her drive down the street.

  Damocles. I’m not the only one with a sword over my head, though. Marisa has one, too. They called the Mancinis to town because the exchange is coming. And it’s coming soon.

  Live or Die?

  Jack jumped into the driver’s seat as Replacement pulled up and slid over next to Kiku. All three now sat in the front on the bench seat.

  He pulled away from the curb and drove out and away from downtown.


  “This is a little awkward.” Kiku shifted closer to the window.

  “If it’s too close, hop in the back,” Replacement suggested dryly.

  Jack flew down a side road. “Did you touch anything in the office?”

  They both shook their heads, and Replacement spoke. “Someone beat the tar out of that guy. Did you see his face?”

  Jack gripped the steering wheel. “It was Paolo.”

  “That is what I would assume, but how can you be sure, Officer?” Kiku leaned forward.

  She’s not asking because she doesn’t believe me; she wants to know how I figured it out. I like it when someone believes in me.

  “Besides the blood, the office was neater than when I left. Paolo loves Marisa and would be respectful of her things. Stuff was knocked off the desk and then put back…carefully.”

  Replacement sat up straighter and turned to Kiku. “He’s good.”

  “Very.” Kiku turned to look out the window, and Jack couldn’t help his chest puffed up a bit.

  Replacement tilted her head. “Why did Paolo beat him up so badly? He didn’t know anything.”

  “The Mancinis wanted to make sure of that.” Kiku’s voice lowered. “They can be very brutal.”

  Jack’s throat tightened as he remembered Kiku in the back of Paolo’s car. “Rivers picked me up.”

  Replacement shifted in her seat. “The FBI lady? Why?”

  “She wanted to give me the heads-up. They intercepted a phone call to Severino. They also know the Mancinis are in town.”

  Jack didn’t say anything about the call to Takeo. He knew Kiku had to be the one who made it. He watched her out of the corner of his eye. Kiku’s face was motionless.

  That’s her tell. She hardens up. She called Takeo, but she’s not telling me why she made the call.

  “Where are we going, and why are you driving like a bat out of hell?” Replacement looked around uncomfortably, and Jack knew she was looking for something to hold onto.

  “Can you jump in the back, kid?”

  Replacement started to shift around, but after one look toward Kiku, she flopped back down. “I’m good. Where are we going?”

  “Arber’s.” Jack pumped the brakes and turned right.

  “Why?” they both asked in unison.