Off the Record (An Avery Shaw Mystery Book 10) Read online

  “That proves she wasn’t meek,” I answered. “She knew the guys running the streets over there. Her mother said she wasn’t afraid of them. I believe Teyona would still be alive if she’d managed to cross the street. She didn’t, though. That means she was killed in that alley.”

  Jake and Derrick exchanged an unreadable look.

  “What makes you think she was killed in the alley?” Jake prodded. “She could’ve been killed on the street and dragged to the alley.”

  “Because no one – not even a serial killer, if that’s what we’re dealing with – would be ballsy enough to kill a woman in the middle of Main Street.” I firmly believed that. “He had to feel he was relatively sheltered in the alley, so that’s where he dragged her. He couldn’t guarantee that a patron leaving one of the bars wouldn’t see him otherwise.”

  “What makes you think it’s a man?”

  “It takes a lot of strength to strangle someone. Tansy Gilbert had a broken neck. That leads me to believe whoever killed her got overzealous … or was in a rage.”

  “You’re a pain in the ass, but your instincts are always spot on,” Jake grumbled, shaking his head as he leaned back in the chair. “You should’ve told me about the other woman. You put me behind by keeping that to yourself.”

  “I told you about her at lunch,” I protested.

  “Yes, but I didn’t realize the two cases could be linked. I obviously forgot about your carnival story – perhaps it was all the talk of doing something filthy on the Ferris wheel that did it. All you needed to do was remind me.”

  “That sounds like your problem more than mine,” I said evasively, averting my gaze.

  “Don’t do that.” Jake extended a warning finger. “You could’ve told me what you knew from the beginning. You didn’t. Why?”

  I wasn’t sure I had an answer to the question – at least not one that would satisfy him. I decided to save myself and divert his attention. “Did I mention I ran into Cara in the parking lot? We exchanged words.”

  Jake made an exaggerated face as he dragged his hand through his messy bird’s nest hair. “We’re talking about Teyona Davidson,” he gritted out. “She’s the dead girl we found in the trash yesterday, in case you’ve forgotten.”

  “I haven’t forgotten.” I crossed my arms over my chest, resigned. “I did tell you about the Port Hope body. Then, when we found the second body, I realized I had a big scoop and could blow everyone else out of the water.”

  “And you wanted that big scoop because you were angry about being forced on festival duty,” Jake deduced. “You took the assignment as an insult, and then the story of the summer fell into your lap. How fortuitous.”

  “Oh, don’t take that tone with me.” I scratched the side of my nose. Getting in trouble makes me itchy.

  “I need you to tell me what else you have,” Jake pressed. “Are you holding anything else back?”

  That was an interesting question. “Not really.”

  “That wasn’t a very convincing answer.”

  “I don’t know what you want me to say,” I snapped. “I was with you when I discovered the body. I told you at lunch about the first body. You forgot.”

  “I didn’t forget! I didn’t know they were linked!”

  I ignored his growing anger. “While you were dealing with the body … and Tad and Dick Aiken, for that matter … I decided to talk to the carnies.”

  “Oh, there’s a job for you,” Derrick intoned, brightening. “You’d fit right in there. You love to travel.”

  “Maybe you should consider it when Devon pops out that kid,” I shot back. “Anything would be better than putting up with that voice when she’s asking for a foot massage and demanding you get up with the baby in the middle of the night because she’s exhausted.”

  “Knock it off,” Jake ordered, shaking his head. “We talked to the carnival workers, too. We didn’t get much from them. Did you get anything of interest?”

  Hmm. Another difficult position. Crap!

  “Avery,” Jake pressed, his tone firm. “Tell me right now.”

  I shrugged, resigned. “Not really. I talked to a huge chick named Stella, who filled me in a little about how the carnival travels. Then she took me to her boss, some dude named Don Hamilton, who looks like a giant garbanzo bean in stripes. He said that they run background checks on everyone. He was a little off, but I’m not sure what to think of him.”

  Jake arched an eyebrow. “That’s it? What about the carnival guy I caught you talking to right after your showdown with Ludington yesterday? Did you talk to him again?”

  “Jess?” I nodded. “He’s Don Hamilton’s nephew. He joined the carnival a year ago.”

  “What do you think of him?” Jake seemed insistent as he leaned forward. “Do you think he’s a viable suspect?”

  I narrowed my eyes. Now it was my turn to be suspicious. “I think the better question is, do you think he’s a viable suspect?” They had something. I had no idea what, but they had something and they were looking closer at Jess. That reinforced my instincts when it came to the guy, and yet … . “Have you brought him in for questioning?”

  “We don’t have enough evidence to bring anyone in for formal questioning yet,” Jake replied. “As for that Jess guy, I can’t give you anything on the record because I honestly don’t have it. Off the record, he makes me nervous. I want you to be very careful.”

  “I’m not black.” I felt like a broken record. I had to remind Eliot of the same thing the night before. “If this is a serial killer, he clearly has a type. I don’t fit the type.”

  “No, but you can derange someone in ten seconds flat,” Derrick pointed out.

  “Besides that, this Jess is obviously already interested in you,” Jake added. “I saw the way he looked at you after you kicked Ludington in the nuts. He was … smitten.”

  “Smitten?” That is the dumbest word, I swear. “He was not smitten.”

  “Okay, maybe he wasn’t smitten,” Jake conceded. “But he was intrigued. He thought you were interesting. That was before we found the body, but long after Teyona died. If this guy is guilty you could be in his crosshairs. He might break form to go after you because you’ve piqued his interest.”

  “And we’re back to you focusing on Jess,” I pointed out. Jake had to be holding something back. There was no other explanation. “Why? What do you know?”

  “We don’t know anything.” Jake said the words, but the way he shifted his eyes to the left told me he was lying. He definitely knew something, and he wouldn’t announce it at the news conference. I had to know what.

  “What are you going to talk about at the conference?” I asked, changing course. “Was Teyona Davidson sexually assaulted?”

  “Off the record?”

  I opened mouth to argue and then snapped it shut, mutely nodding.

  “This had better not turn up in an article. I will cut you off from all information if it does.”

  I held up my hands in a placating manner. “Off the record. I promise.”

  “No.”

  I moved my jaw back and forth as I absorbed the information. I expected him to answer differently. “So someone killed her, but there wasn’t a sexual component to the murder.”

  “Exactly.”

  That made things more confusing. “So, where do you look now?”

  “We’ll announce that at the conference,” Jake replied, tapping the end of my nose as he stood. “We’re going to focus on how this is a safe festival and community. I’m sure that will bore you to tears. We’ll talk a little about the evidence, but we’re not going into great detail. I’m sure that will agitate you.”

  He had no idea.

  “As for the rest, well, the investigation continues.” Jake’s smile was enigmatic and I didn’t bother to return it. “Now, let’s talk about what happened between you and Cara in the parking lot.”

  Oh, well, crap on toast! I was hoping he would forget that little admission. “I’m going to need c
ookies if you expect me to spill my guts. I missed lunch.”

  “You’re in luck. I will have cookies waiting for you in the conference room. Oreos!” Jake rested his hands on the arms of the chair so I had no chance of escape. “Talk.”

  This day was definitely going down the drain quickly. At least I had Oreos to look forward to.

  18

  Eighteen

  I swung by the downtown area on my way back to the office, parking in front of Eliot’s shop so I wouldn’t look suspicious while spying. Come the following day, Main Street would be shut down and I would be relegated to parking in one of the garages.

  The shop was close enough to let me watch the hustle and bustle behind the carnival barricades. Everyone appeared to have a job to do – and there wasn’t much lazing about. The operation looked efficient. I wasn’t sure what that meant, but it was interesting to watch.

  I exited the car and headed toward the coffee shop. It was too hot for a warm beverage so I purchased an iced green tea before moving to the bench on the sidewalk. I kept my focus on the carnival workers, taking note of the way they interacted and if any of them paid attention to the people walking the street.

  The circuit courthouse is located on the main drag. It would be shut down for most business on Friday, with barricades at the far end of the main thoroughfare to cut off cross-street traffic Thursday night. I took particular notice when a pair of young women – both black – exited a hair salon. They seemed in high spirits and chatted amiably with one another as they walked past the carnival barricades. No one paid them particular attention until Jess walked out of one of the game booths. He stood at the edge of the festival area and watched them pass. He didn’t call out to them or wave. He was too far away for me to gauge his expression. A chill ran down my spine all the same.

  I was so lost in thought I didn’t notice the approaching shadow until it moved over my face. I jerked my head, letting loose a relieved sigh when I realized it was Eliot. “Hey.”

  “Hey.” Eliot sat next to me, snagging my iced tea and taking a sip before handing it back. “How was your conference?”

  “Boring,” I replied. “But I was in Derrick’s office beforehand, and I got an earful from Jake and my cousin about how I should’ve told them about the link to Port Hope.”

  “You mentioned the first body during lunch.”

  “That’s what I said!”

  Eliot grinned. “Great minds think alike.” He rested his arm behind me on the bench. “How angry was he?”

  “He got over it. He was more worked up when I admitted to having an argument with Cara in the parking lot. I still haven’t figured out what she was doing there, and he wasn’t forthcoming with information. I’m pretty sure he’s punishing me for being the best reporter in the land.”

  Eliot snickered. “What happened with you and Cara?”

  “She was leaving when I arrived. She basically blamed me for Jake dumping her,” I replied. “She wanted to know if we were together.”

  “What did you say?”

  I turned my full attention to Eliot, conflicted. “What do you think I said?”

  “I think you said you already have a studly and sweet boyfriend, so you don’t need another.”

  “That pretty much sums it up.” I watched him a moment. He didn’t seem agitated, merely curious. That didn’t mean he wasn’t prone to his own set of meltdowns under certain circumstances. “I told her I loved Jake as a friend and wanted him to be happy. That’s the truth.”

  “I’m not accusing you of anything.”

  No, but everyone gets insecure occasionally. Even Eliot wasn’t above it. I didn’t say that out loud, though. “I know.” I rested my hand on top of his. “I warned her that talking badly about Jake would backfire on her and I would make her pay if she didn’t stop doing it. Then I told her that I never liked her, and that Jake could do much better.”

  “Ah, well, you make friends wherever you go.”

  I smirked. “I still can’t figure out what she was doing there. Jake seemed edgy. I think only part of it had to do with the fact that he didn’t link the two deaths before I did it for him.”

  “He’ll get over it. He always does.” Eliot is a pragmatic soul, which is only one of the things I like about him. “How did your interview with the victim’s mother go? Did she let you in?”

  “She let me in. That reminds me, I promised to take the photographs I borrowed back to her as soon as possible. I’m dropping them off tonight before heading home. I might be a little late.”

  “Okay. Text me when you get there and when you’re leaving. I’m not a big fan of that area.”

  “It wasn’t bad this afternoon,” I supplied. “Lee – that’s Teyona’s mother – said that her daughter was the type to make eye contact but not cause trouble. She wasn’t afraid to walk home alone in that neighborhood so late at night because she knew all of the guys running the streets from high school.”

  “What does that tell you?”

  “That someone moved quickly.” I turned my attention to the alleyway. It was still taped off, but no one was inside collecting evidence. “Someone could’ve easily hid in there and grabbed her before she realized she was being watched. I think she was the kind of woman who was aware of her surroundings, so it had to be a blitz attack.”

  “You’re up on all of the jargon,” Eliot teased, poking my side. “It turns me on.”

  “I’m serious.”

  Eliot sobered. “I don’t like to encourage you to put your nose in places where it doesn’t belong, but I think you’re right. That alley is a good place to hide, especially that late at night.”

  “She wasn’t sexually assaulted. Jake gave me that off the record.”

  “That’s a good thing, right?”

  I shrugged. “In theory. Sexual motivation is easier to understand than violence for violence’s sake, though.”

  “You’re bothered by a potential motive because there’s no sexual component. I don’t blame you. It bothers me, too. It severely limits possibilities.”

  “I don’t know what to think. I need to let it percolate in my mind a bit longer.”

  “Well, you can do that when we get home tonight,” Eliot suggested. “We have more stuff to pack. I want to load the vehicles before we go to bed.”

  Ugh. I hate loading vehicles. I had an idea for getting out of that, but I wasn’t going to own up to it until the last second. “Okay. Can you pick up dinner?”

  “What do you want?”

  “Chinese sounds good.”

  “I’ll handle it.” Eliot clasped my hand and lifted it, pressing my fingers to his lips before releasing me. “Go file your stories. The sooner you’re done, the sooner we can get to the real work.”

  “I might need a massage tonight,” I wheedled. “I’m tense.”

  Eliot chuckled. “We’ll see how much work you put in.”

  “That sounds like a plan.”

  I HEADED straight to my desk upon returning to the office. I wanted to bang out both of my articles while the details were still fresh in my mind. I cocooned myself in my cubicle until I was finished, and then decided to take the stack of photographs to be scanned. That’s where I ran into Marvin.

  “Good morning.” I bit the inside of my cheek to keep from laughing when I remembered our earlier conversation. “How was your day at the festival?”

  “Laugh it up,” Marvin drawled. He looked to be in a decent mood despite the story I tasked him with. “You’re going to be so ticked off when I tell you what happened.”

  I leaned forward, my interest piqued. “What happened? Did you see that Jess guy doing anything crazy? Was he stalking women?”

  Marvin rolled his eyes. “Oh, geez. You always take it to a dramatic level.”

  That was terrifying coming from him. Was I more dramatic than Marvin? Was that even possible? I maintained my cool. “What happened?”

  “Well, I started out the day at the petting zoo.”

  I pressed
my lips together to keep from laughing. I didn’t even know the festival had a petting zoo. Sticking Marvin with that story should’ve made me feel guilty. Funnily enough, it didn’t.

  “Oh, well, that sounds nice.”

  “Yes, it was great,” Marvin intoned. “I was barely out of the car when I stepped in goat droppings. You’d think, because it’s smaller animals and stuff, that the droppings would be smaller, wouldn’t you?”

  “Makes sense.”

  “They’re not.”

  “Oh, total bummer.”

  “Don’t take that fake tone with me,” Marvin warned, his eyes flashing. “I wear white shoes. Do you know what goat droppings do to white shoes?”

  “Turn them brown?”

  “You’re not funny!” Marvin’s voice carries when he’s worked up. “I could smell myself for the entire interview.”

  “I’m guessing you didn’t smell minty fresh.”

  “You’re my least favorite person in the world right now.” Marvin gestured wildly, which I think was his way of telling me I was in trouble. I was too tired to care. “So I got the fluff story like you wanted and headed over to the carnival. I got some ice cream and sat on one of the benches so I could watch them.”

  “Did you see anything interesting?”

  “I’m getting to it.”

  I held up my hands in a placating manner. “Far be it from me to get in the way of your fabulous story.”

  “Yup, still my least favorite person.” Marvin shook his head. “Anyway, I spent a good hour watching the carnies. It was interesting. They have some very attractive women.”

  Huh. I saw that coming. “Did you find a date?”

  “Yes, but I haven’t reached that part of the story yet.”

  “Well, I’m dying to hear it.” I actually lost interest in the conversation two minutes in but didn’t have many options. He had me boxed in so I couldn’t escape without breaking into a run, and I wasn’t sure how wise that was because if Fish saw us screwing around he might decide to send us to another “proper workplace etiquette” seminar … and nobody wanted that.