Lucky Thirteen (18 page)

“Thank you, ma’am,” Ray said deferentially
.
Interesting. Damn, and I thought of those too
. “Now it’s your turn.”

“As you wish,” Larkin conceded
. “Loquacious—I love to talk.”

“I can tell,” he said in a smart-alec
k tone.

Larkin
rolled her eyes, but did not let him deter her. “Ardent—I’m full of emotion in all that I do. Reserved—I keep a lot of my thoughts to myself, especially negative ones, which has caused my colleagues to think I don’t struggle as much as they do when I do. Keen—I’m sharp as a tack. Individualistic—I don’t conform simply to conform. I am myself. Take me or leave me. Novel—I’m far from ordinary.”

“Um
,” mused Ray.
I want to say just the right words
. “You’re Likeable—I like you.”

“I like you, too.”

“Let me finish, Miss Loquacious.”

Larkin giggled.

He went on. “You’re Angelic—there’s an ethereal aura about you. You’re Refined—you’ve been purified by fire and emerged clear and delicate and cultured. Dr. Fairchild would agree. She told us about all you’ve endured. You’re Kind—a simple word, but as uncomplicated as you are. You’re Indulgent—ready to forgive and forget, most of the time. I see how you’ve already forgiven Raif.” He paused, not certain he should say exactly what was on his mind, but he couldn’t help himself. “I’m waiting to hear what you have to say about Dupree Parks.”

She started to speak, but he wagged his head and shook his finger at the same time
. “I’m not finished. I still have your N.” He stared at her a moment. His voice took on dreaminess. “Last, you are Narcotic—spending time with you could become very addictive.”

“Take me off that pedestal right now, Ray,” she
asserted. “I’m merely a sinner saved by grace. Anything good does not come from me, but from Above.”

“Like I said, angelic
. How could you want to spend time with a rogue and rake like me?”

“Rogue
! Rake! Right! When was the last time you were a rogue or a rake?”

“Do you really want an answer to that?”

“Yes.”

“I’
ve never told anybody but my priest this. Why am I telling you?” He rubbed his head as if one of his migraines might be coming on. “I have no idea,” he answered himself. “But it was the night I hired a call girl after my fiancée decided she couldn’t handle being a cop’s wife.”

“Why did she decide that?”

He sat back with a curious look on his face, mouth slightly ajar. “Aren’t you appalled I hired a hooker? I’m a cop. I broke the law.”

“No
.” She shook her head. “It’s understandable. Like you said, you’re fallible. You made a mistake. Now, why did your fiancée leave you?”

“I got shot on a domestic disturbance response before I became a detective.”

“Ah. I’ve heard that’s one of the most dangerous calls a policeman can respond to.”

“Yep.
You never know just how volatile the situation might be.”

“She really hurt you, didn’t she?”

“If she had just decided she couldn’t marry me, I could’ve dealt with that, but she went straight to the arms of the man I thought was my best friend. He was a lawyer—much safer and more money.” He rubbed his stubble. “When his philandering broke her heart, she wanted to come back. Sorry, babe. No can do. I realized then I’ll probably grow old alone. It’d take a very strong, special woman to be my wife, a cop’s wife. It’s who I am.”

“And after all this time, you’re still angry
. You need to let it go.”

Ray looked at Larkin in disbelief
.
How can this woman see through me like that?
“I suppose you think I should go to confession.”

“Would it help?”

“No. I actually went after the night with the prostitute.” He displayed the defiant look of a naughty little boy who should feel sorry for something he had done, but didn’t. “I was told to say ten ‘Hail Mary’s’ and ten ‘Our Father’s.’ They were empty words. I haven’t been back. That was four years ago. My mom worries I’ll go to Hell.”

“Perhaps
if you confessed your feelings and sin to the Real Father, it would help.”

“The Real Father
? Directly to God?” He sighed impatiently. “Just tell God how I feel? Sin? Ask him to forgive me?”

“Yes, face to face before the Throne.”

Words coated with bitterness, he said, “Are you preaching to me now?”

“Not my intent.” She sat back with her hands raised in surrender.

“Honestly, I’m not sure there’s anyone listening.” Ray looked contemplative.
Is this what Raif meant? Will this woman’s words change my life?
“I’ll have to think about that. Right now, I need to talk to Chris for a minute. Excuse me.”

Ray stepped out the door and called Chris
. They talked several minutes, not about the case, but about what Larkin had said.

“Trust what she says, Ray,” assured Chris
. “Try it. I did, and I’m changed from the inside.”

She got to both of them?
“That’s what Raif said.”

“My dad always said that confirmation comes in threes
. So, try it.”

“I
don’t guess a prayer can hurt. ’Bye.”

Before he returned to Larkin, Ray paused at the door
. “Okay, God. I’ve had my doubts about you even being up there. I’ve been very angry and bitter for a long time. I’ve tried to make it go away by myself. I’m sorry. Forgive me. Please, help me to let it go. Help me to find a better way. Whew! Amen.”

When Ray came back in, Larkin had washed the dishes they used
. She asked candidly, “Just how close are you and Chris?”

The
detective chortled. “Are you asking if I’m in love with Chris? The answer is no. She’s probably the best friend I’ve ever had. I love her to death, but I am
not
in love with her. We’re too much alike. One of us, or maybe both, would end up dead.”

“That’s what
she
said. I just wanted to make sure you weren’t setting yourself up to get hurt again.”

“I can take care of myself, Larkin, but thank you.”
His tone abruptly ended the conversation.

“If you insist
.” Larkin let the matter drop.
The time hasn’t yet come,
she told herself.

♣♣♣

After
three days of chess, gin rummy, and
Scrabble
with Larkin, and losing every time, Ray announced, “I have to go to the health department to make contact with Latrice. I need to see her at least once before Halloween. A tail was placed on her, and I’ve kept in touch with Chris.”

Larkin
looked terrified, her eyes wide and misty.

“I promise I can pull this off
. Raif and Chris will be around the corner and will be listening and giving me advice,” he said confidently. “I do need your help though.” He opened a small case, which contained the tiniest microphone and recorder Larkin had ever seen. He produced a roll of medical tape and took off his shirt.

Her eyes were drawn to
his finely chiseled and defined physique, innocence momentarily overwhelmed by the involuntary reaction of her own body. Face flushed, heart racing, she was sure she betrayed herself when she spoke.

“What do you need me to do?”

He handed her the tape as he connected the microphone cord to the recorder. Placing the recorder in the small of his back just inside the waist band of the grungy jeans Raif had worn at the last visit to Latrice, the detective said, “Tape the recorder to my back.”

Larkin
’s eyes widened when she observed Ray’s tattoo.
A Celtic guardian, in the same place as mine. A sign?
That fact alone made her hands shake as she taped the recorder down securely. “How’s that?” she asked, unsure of what was racing through her mind.
For the first time in my life I’ve found a man to whom I could give myself and possibly break a vow I made with you, Lord.
The fleeting thoughts scared her.
But here is all I’ve dreamed about—the dark hair and the blue eyes have a face and a name and a matching tattoo. Is this what God’s planned all along?

He felt the recorder
. “Nice work.” Ray ran the cord along his rib cage. With his thumb, indicating where, he said, “Put a piece here.”

She taped the cord, and he
positioned the microphone between his pectoral muscles against his breastbone, being careful to place it just to the side of the small patch of ebony hair on his chest.

“And here,”
the detective instructed.

Before she taped the microphone, Larkin gently touched a scar in Ray’s left shoulder.

“That’s where I got shot,” he explained without her ever asking. “It wasn’t life threatening, but it hurt.”

She taped the microphone as asked, terrified this man would be able to read her thoughts, lustful thoughts as never experienced before
. Ray said, “Thanks.” He then put on the same filthy hoodie Raif had worn. “How do I look?”

Her nose crinkled
. “As revolting as you smell.” Impure thoughts vanished.

“Thank you again
. I’ll be back very soon.” Ray reached into his bag again and handed Larkin a gun. “This is my backup .38. If anyone besides Chris, Raif or me comes through that door, shoot ’em. All you have to do is point and pull the trigger.”

A new worry
struck.
Might I have to kill someone?
Her face drained of blood.

“Don’t worry. It’s just a precaution. We’re watching
Latrice. Let’s hope you don’t have to pull the trigger.” He smiled. “But be sure you
don’t
when I come back in.”

Larkin tremulously asked, “Ray, have you ever had to kill someone?”

He became pensive for a moment before he answered. “Yes, and it haunted me for a long time. I hope I never have to do it again, but I know I can if it comes to protecting an innocent victim or myself. Let’s hope you won’t have to pull that trigger.” He kissed her on the forehead and left.

Larkin prayed.

♣♣♣

Latrice came out of the health department right at five. She saw Ray in the gathering dusk. “What do you want?” she snarled through clenched teeth.

R
aif’s voice buzzed in his ear. “Act confused and a little incoherent.”

“
Lar…Larkin needs food,” Ray stammered. “The three hundred dollars is gone.” He remembered the story his brother had told him about giving the money to a homeless man.

“Lord! How I look forward to Halloween!” Latrice muttered.

“Talk about the voices,” Raif instructed.

“Me too,” Ray whispered
. “The voices will stop on Halloween, right?”

“Trust me, Ray
. After Halloween, you will never hear voices again, just like all the other useless pieces of societal refuse.” She slapped a hundred dollars into his hand. “I’ll be there at ten. Have her washed and ready to get dressed. And do
not
come here again. You have been a thorn in my flesh just as I was warned from day one. Momma could be right about you, but I don’t have time to change plans now. I swear if this can’t hold you two days, I’ll take over and finish without you. I cannot wait to be rid of you.” She stalked off.

What a piece of work
, Ray thought. It took every ounce of control not to strangle Latrice on the spot.
But I have some very incriminating words on tape
. He stopped by the car where Raif and Chris were and handed the money to his partner. “I’m tempted to tell you to give this to the nearest homeless shelter, but bag and tag, partner.”

Chris opened an
evidence bag and Ray slipped in the money.

♣♣♣

Ray returned to the wine cellar w
ith a smug expression on his face. “Listen while I bathe,” Ray said as he gently squeezed the frightened woman’s hand and exchanged the recorder for the gun. She had held it ready from the moment he had left.

A curtain had been rigged around the tub
. Ray came out wearing fresh clothes, clean jeans and a snug-fitting Kelly green pullover sweater, which showed every ripple in his chest and abdomen; but he would not shave until the ordeal was over. As Ray held the repulsive clothes away from him, Larkin’s eyes became like saucers, and her heart skipped a beat. Ray grimaced and said, “We’re gonna start a bonfire with these in a week.”

Larkin smiled and held up the recorder
. “Nice work, Detective Reynolds. Raif said the same thing about those clothes.”

Ray
laughed and bowed flamboyantly. “You may begin my official fan club.”

♣♣♣

Ray made arrangements with Chris about how to set up in the sanctuary
. He knew the FBI agent would attend to the details.