Detective Jack Stratton Box Set Read online

  “Yeah, but…”

  “Go sit back there in the corner,” Jack ordered.

  Jack followed him out, waved Replacement over, and nodded toward the back room. He set her down in the same chair that Dumb, Dumber, and Dumbest had occupied.

  “Listen to me, okay?” Jack hoped his tone conveyed the gravity of the situation. “Ken in there said you asked him to score meth for you. True or not true?”

  She gave him a duh look. “I’m trying to find out how Michelle got meth in her system. I figure someone must have slipped it to her. If I can find out who—”

  “So that’s true.”

  “Yes, but—”

  Jack held up a hand. “Listen. If I take him in, it will come out that you asked him and the other boys for drugs, and it’s going to turn into a he said, she said. And your whole”—what to call it?—“impersonation thing is going to come out.”

  And I’ll have to waste time on this when I have a solid lead to hunt down.

  “But—”

  “Do you really want me to arrest him?”

  She scrunched up her face. “I guess not, if it blows my cover. And I doubt he’ll ever do it again.” She grinned.

  “Your cover? Get that smile off your face. You beat the snot out of three guys and broke a security guard’s nose. I’m still trying to figure out how not to arrest you.”

  As Jack walked her back to where the three students and two campus policemen were waiting, he whispered, “Don’t say anything. But if you can, cry.” She immediately started to wail. “A little. Cry a little.”

  Jack sat Replacement at a table in the middle of the room, then motioned for Milt and Chad to bring the boys over.

  “Milt, Chad, I’m going to try to contain this for your sakes.”

  “Ours?” They both looked at each other.

  “Right now I have an underage girl in your college bar accusing one of your students of providing her with illegal drugs, and she’s alleging that you manhandled her and didn’t disclose you were law enforcement.” He raised an eyebrow at Milt, who looked away, muttering.

  “But if it was all just a misunderstanding and no illegal drugs are visible”—he glanced around the room—“then I’d be fine considering this just a mix-up. Unless, of course, you want me to file a report that she”—he pointed to Replacement, who was still working on her Oscar for best crying scene—“gave you a bloody nose.” He glanced at the boys. “And beat up the three of you. In that case, I’d have to close the bar down indefinitely, and then we would have to go through every drink here”—he eyed Ken meaningfully—“to determine if there were any drugs on the premises. And I have to warn you, that would lead to other charges.”

  He watched as the boys’ flushed crimson and then turned ashen during his speech.

  “So I believe this situation was due to ‘misinterpretation’ and may best be handled as a White Rocks matter.” Jack exhaled as everyone relaxed at his words. “That’s if no one requires medical attention?”

  All the students shook their heads.

  Chad took a step forward. “We’ll take it from here, Officer. Everyone is fine. It was a misunderstanding that will be addressed.” Chad saluted but Milt yanked his hand down and snarled, “Yeah, we got it.”

  Everyone moved toward the door.

  “I’ll deal with you later,” Jack growled to Replacement. “I assume you have a ride?”

  Nodding her head, she looked like she had a thousand and one defenses, excuses, or apologies bursting to be set free, but he stepped around her.

  “Stay out of trouble, if possible.”

  “Undercover?” he muttered to himself as he walked to the car, his anger rising with each step.

  What was she thinking? How was he supposed to protect her if she threw herself in harm’s way?

  Even being behind the wheel of the Charger failed to register. Just before he started the car, the image of her in the coffin flashed in his head.

  Jack spent the next couple of hours of his shift driving around, looking in vain for a silver car and a goth drug dealer on the run.

  36

  Stupid but Brilliant

  Jack paced the floor and glanced at the clock. Twelve forty.

  “Why isn’t she home?” he muttered.

  For the third or fourth time, he stormed over to the window, yanked the curtain back, and glared into the darkness. This time he went so far as to grab his jacket and head for the door. But when he reached into his jacket pocket, he stopped.

  She had the car. With a snarl, he ripped his jacket off and beat it on the floor.

  Keys jingled in the lock, and he froze. The door slowly opened, and Replacement peered in.

  “Get in. Now,” Jack’s voice rumbled.

  “You’re mad.” She closed the door but didn’t come in any farther, leaning against the door for support.

  He stalked forward. “No. I’m way beyond mad. They need to come up with a new word for just how angry I am.”

  “I had to.” Her head snapped up, and she glared at him.

  He slammed his hand into the doorframe. Wood cracked.

  “Three people are dead. Three. You’re hunting a monster, and you don’t have a clue. Do you have any idea what Chandler would say to you?”

  She burst into tears and shook her head. “No,” she whispered.

  “He’d tell you that you’re out of your mind! Any other cop would have arrested you. You assaulted a security officer. You solicited drugs. Chandler would say just what I’m saying.”

  “No.” She shook her head. “Chandler never yelled at me.”

  Jack turned and took four steps away. “Don’t. Don’t turn this around on me. I’m not Chandler. He would… I don’t know what he would have done. He’d handle it!”

  He stormed over to the bedroom. “Don’t leave the apartment or borrow my car ever again,” he yelled, slamming the door.

  After tossing and turning for two hours, Jack opened the bedroom door. Replacement was asleep on the couch, curled up in a ball. The comforter had fallen to the floor. He picked it up, then fanned the comforter out and gently laid it over her.

  Her eyes fluttered open, and she sat up. He cleared his throat so she wouldn’t be alarmed to see him.

  “Jack, I’m so sorry.” She gathered the comforter tightly around her.

  He went over and sat on the arm of the couch. “No, I was… upset. I—I shouldn’t have yelled. You’re right, Chandler wouldn’t have yelled.”

  She nodded.

  “But we need to get one thing straight.”

  She bowed her head. “I can’t leave the apartment and I can’t use the car.”

  “No. That was a stupid thing to say. But this whole undercover thing is done.”

  Replacement took a deep breath.

  Jack held up his hand. “I’m not arguing.”

  She started to speak again. He gave her a look.

  “Let’s do this the right way.” He walked over and picked up his notebook and pen. “Start at the very beginning. How did you get into the college?”

  She tossed the comforter off and jumped up. “Oh, that was pretty easy. I already had an alias. I’ve had it for like two years.”

  “Ah, yes, the mysterious Alexis Holmes. How?” Jack sat down at the desk.

  “A lady from youth services came by Aunt Haddie’s a couple of years ago. I watched her connect to the state database and she used a really simple password. I logged in and figured I’d just make someone up to see if I could. I was just messing around. Then I decided to keep it in case I ever needed it.” As if that explained everything.

  “How did you get onto campus and into buildings?”

  “When we went to the campus security office, and you went into that guy’s office—”

  “Neil Waters?”

  “—I saw the secretary’s login. She had her password written down under her keyboard. That gave me full access to the college computer system.”

  “You didn’t tell me?” Ja
ck was more surprised than angry.

  “I didn’t know if I could get into either of the systems until after… after you were in the hospital.” She started to move forward and stopped. “I made a push after that. I got into the college’s system, and just made myself a student. I don’t think I could take it to graduation or anything, but I got into classes and a key card, all that stuff.”

  Jack looked up. “Why did you leave me out?”

  “Because you’d lose your job. You told me about what your boss said.” She went over to the couch, putting distance between them, but Jack jumped up and grabbed her by the shoulders. “Did you think about what could happen to you? I have training. I have a gun. What do you have?”

  “Nothing to lose?”

  They stared at each other, until Replacement blinked.

  “If you ever pull something like that on me again…” He struggled for words.

  “I won’t,” she whispered. “I promise.”

  He hugged her. She could have gotten herself killed. Stupid! No, not stupid… fearless.

  He held her for a moment and let himself relax while her hand moved in little circles at the small of his back. He closed his eyes and electricity tingled up and down his spine.

  She made a faint, soft moan, barely a sound, really, but Jack held her at arm’s length. He scooted back to his seat and picked up his notebook. “Did you find out anything?”

  “Not too much.” She scrunched up her face.

  “Getting into the college was brilliant. Stupid but brilliant.”

  Her smile vanished. “Oh, really. How can I be stupid and brilliant?”

  “Not you… what you did. It was dangerous. Three people are dead. This isn’t a game.”

  She nodded.

  “Have you seen any drug use around campus?”

  “Not besides that spineless—”

  “Besides him.”

  “Not really. I haven’t been out much. I had a couple of study dates…”

  Jack cocked an eyebrow. “Do you know a Lennie Jacobsen?”

  “No, never heard of him.”

  “He was at the bar tonight. Dresses goth. He has long hair and was wearing a black hoody sweatshirt and black jeans.”

  “No, I never… Wait a minute. Goth? I’ve seen a guy with long dyed-black hair hanging around the school.”

  Jack pulled out Lennie’s mug shot.

  “Yeah, that’s him. I saw him in the computer lab.”

  Jack’s heart rate quickened. “Where Michelle worked?”

  “No, not at the psych center, the one at the student union.”

  “Was he with anybody?”

  “No… I’m not sure. I don’t remember.” Her face brightened mischievously. “Maybe if you tell me more about what you’re looking for next time, I can help you look.”

  Yeah, good try. But she might have a point. Jack stared down hopelessly at the picture. “Is there anything else you can remember about him?”

  Replacement paused for a moment, then shook her head. “Do you think he was involved?”

  “I don’t know. After what just happened at The Pit, I wouldn’t be surprised if Lennie went into hiding.”

  After a meaningful pause, Jack continued with his semi-interrogation. “Have you had any classes with Dr. Hahn?”

  “Yeah, he’s boring. He was great in class, but get him in the lab? He’s cold, like Mr. Spock or a robot. Super-focused. Everyone has to be quiet. No sound. Nothing.” She rolled her eyes, and Jack suppressed a smile.

  “Have you talked to him one-on-one?”

  “Nope.”

  “What about Dr. Franklin?” Pages of his notebook flew back and forth as he took new notes and tried to reference the old ones.

  “I don’t have him for class, but rumor is he hits on the girls pretty hard. Everybody knows he’s married, but he takes his wedding ring off before class. Nice.”

  “Anything else?”

  “I heard a guy say he can be charming one minute and then flip out the next. A girl in my psych class said he’s a few fries short of a Happy Meal.”

  “Are you out at the center a lot?”

  “All the time. If we’re not in a class there, we’re in the lab. Huge pain.”

  “Are you ever there late?”

  “No. We have to leave by seven, but we start early. There’s mountains of homework. One of the grad students has been helping me.”

  “Who?”

  “His name’s Brendan.”

  “Phillips?” Jack’s eyes narrowed.

  “Yeah. How did you know?”

  “I met him when I went to go on the tour. He showed me around. Dr. Hahn’s assistant. How did he seem? What read did you get?”

  Replacement shrugged. “He seems nice. He teaches one of my classes.”

  “He had a blue security card. Does that get him into the computer room?”

  “Probably. I knew he was Hahn’s assistant; that’s why I picked him. He has access to the other parts of the building. He likes to show off, like he’s a bigwig. I’m working on getting closer to him.”

  Jack’s eyes narrowed. “You mean you were working on it. Not anymore.”

  Replacement’s grip tightened on the comforter. “I found something about Missy Lorton.”

  “Michelle’s roommate?”

  “The thief,” Replacement spat. “She definitely took some of Michelle’s stuff. A box of it.”

  “How do you know?” Jack stopped writing.

  Replacement rolled her eyes. “Come on. I’m undercover. I peeked.”

  “Peeked. Did you break into her apartment?”

  “It isn’t breaking in if I’m undercover.”

  Jack could feel the blood rush to his face.

  “I didn’t take anything so I wouldn’t contaminate the crime scene.” Her look and shrug said, So that explains it all. Glad I could help.

  “You made it a crime scene! It’s called breaking and entering.”

  “Don’t yell. She made it first. It’s called big-jerk-stealing.”

  “Just stop. Okay?” Jack rubbed the sides of his head before he continued. “You didn’t take Michelle’s box, then?”

  “No.”

  “Did you see what was in it?”

  “It’s just a big box of Michelle’s stuff. I don’t know, I figure she must have wanted it. Can I get it back now?” Her lip trembled, and she looked down at her hands. “It’s all… it’s all I have left of Michelle.”

  Jack melted. “I’ll get it. I promise.” He put his hand on her shoulder.

  She leaned her head onto his hand and closed her eyes. “Thank you,” she whispered, and then her eyes snapped open. “Nothing I’m doing is going to get you in trouble, right?” Her eyes rounded in concern.

  “Trouble?” Jack stuck his lower lip out and shook his head. “Nah, you’ve pretty much blown up my life. What more trouble could you cause?”

  “Are you serious?” She grabbed his arms. “Don’t say that. You’re good, right?”

  “I’m good. It’s not your fault. Look. I’ve gone at this the wrong way. From the beginning, I should have gone to Collins, but I didn’t.” Replacement started to speak, and Jack held up both hands. “Joe Davenport is… damn it. I forgot to try him again. I wonder why he didn’t—” He looked down at his phone; two missed calls. “My phone rang, and I didn’t hear it? Smartphone my eye.”

  “Let me see.” Replacement took the phone from him, scrolled through some menu, and a dog barked out. “It’s working.”

  “What the hell was that?”

  “Your new ringtone. I thought it fit you better than that old grandpa one.”

  “You messed with my phone?”

  “No. I updated it for the twenty-first century.” She waved the phone over her head. “If you can’t even change your ringtone, how am I going to get you to use a computer instead of a notebook?”

  “Ain’t gonna happen. So don’t change my phone and don’t try to change me.”

  “Fine.”<
br />
  Jack paused and rubbed his eyes with his thumb and index finger. “I’m going to Joe and giving him everything.”

  “But you’ll lose your job.” Replacement’s shoulders slumped.

  “I might and I might not.” Or I might wish I had. “Either way, we know someone who has access to the center has killed at least three people: Charlie, Tiffany, and…” He couldn’t bring himself to add Michelle’s name to the list. “And we know that Michelle didn’t apply for a transfer because the transfer went through on December twenty-first at one a.m.”

  “What?”

  “I didn’t have a chance to tell you, what with all the, um, extra drama.” After pausing for effect, Jack explained how he found out someone had just filled in December twentieth on Michelle’s form, but the time stamp on the application was December 21 at 1:03 a.m.

  That got Replacement’s attention all right. “Michelle was already dead by then! She was at the reservoir at twelve thirty. Someone else submitted it. But—” She looked away.

  “But what?”

  She looked at the ceiling, thinking. “If it was electronic, then they’ll be able to tell the IP, too. It will say what computer it came from. Move.”

  Replacement shoved Jack out of the chair and handed him back his phone. As she logged in, Jack moved over to the window.

  “All night, I kept thinking I was hearing dogs barking,” he muttered to himself.

  Replacement either didn’t hear or pretended not to.

  “If you can just sign up for classes at Western Tech as a transfer,” she said, “then their system and White Rocks’ are linked. I didn’t even think of that. I’m a moron.”

  Jack watched in amazement as Replacement’s slender fingers sped across the keyboard. Every couple of seconds she’d huff or shake the mouse, waiting for a screen to catch up with her commands.

  “Got it!” She hopped up and down in the chair.

  “Will that tell you the computer they used?”

  Her fist smacked the desk. “No. It’s the forward-facing IP of the psych center.”

  “Can you translate that geek-speak back into English?”

  “Every computer has an IP address, but if you connect in a building, all those addresses can get funneled together for security and then go out as one IP. That’s what they do at the psychology center. This IP address covers the whole building.”