A Bullet for Carlos (45 page)

He reached into his pocket, handed her a card. “You call me if something happens, no matter what time it is. And when you go off shift, tell whoever takes over the same thing. I don’t care what time.”

She looked at the card then patted his arm. “We will, Detective. Now get some rest.”

I grabbed him and led him outside. “Ride with me. We’ll pick your car up tomorrow.”

It must have been the first time Tip noticed my dress, or the first time his mind let him focus. “What are you doing in that dress?”

I looked down at the blood-stained mess that used to be my gorgeous dress. “You reminded me, I forgot to call Maxwell and by now he’s probably in the play.”

“Forget Maxwell; he can wait for another night.”

“He can wait forever,” I said, and pulled out of the parking lot. “Let’s go home and drown our sorrows.”

“And figure out how to get Carlos.”

I put on the blinker as I turned left. “Yeah, and that, too.”

Chapter 56

A Long Night

I
knew it was going to be a long night when I offered to stay at Tip’s house, but there was nothing else to do; the man was a mess. I’d never seen anyone who cared so much about their dogs. That said something about him. Something I liked. I realized that my gut instincts had been right; he was a big softie under all his bullshit.

I pulled into the spot where he normally parked. On the way to the house, he bent down to pick up the groceries laying on the sidewalk. “I’ll get that later, Tip. Let’s go inside.”

He avoided looking at Kelly and Kassie, still where they were when he found them. I put water on for coffee as Tip sat at the kitchen table.

“Got to get them buried,” he said.

“As soon as we have coffee, okay.” I looked at myself, and shook my head. “Don’t suppose you have anything in a size eight?”

Tip gave a brief laugh. It wasn’t fake, he just didn’t have much in him. “Got some old work clothes that you could throw on. Use a tight belt and maybe some rope to hold them up.”

“Anything will do. I’m not working a shovel in this dress.”

“I’m sorry about that, Connie. I…”

I hugged him. “Don’t say a word, just get me something to wear.”

“Be right back.”

His cell rang. I looked at the caller ID. “Tip, it’s Emily Miller calling.”

“Don’t bother,” he said.

“You want coffee or tea?” I asked.

“Tea, with lots of sugar.”

I got the cups ready then poured the water when it boiled. Tea for Tip and coffee for me. I’d need it tonight.

Tip returned with clothes and set them on the back of a kitchen chair. “You can use either one of the showers.”

“Might as well wait until we’re done,” I said. “No sense in doing it twice.” I sipped coffee, watched him staring at nothing. “I’m so sorry. I know how much the dogs meant to you.”

“I hope Flash is okay.” He grabbed my hand and held it. “I can’t lose them all.”

I let him talk for a while, then we went out to bury the dogs. It took nearly two hours to do it, Tip insisting on deep graves so the coyotes didn’t get to them. After we were done he placed a large stone marker on each one so he could remember the spot. When I thought we were through, he knelt and said a prayer by Kassie’s gravesite, then moved to Kelly’s.

Some people believe that God doesn’t let animals in heaven, but Tip knew differently. God wouldn’t make something so loving and so perfect only to abandon them at the end. Tip bowed his head and spoke softly. “I know you’re up there, Kelly, and I know Kassie’s with you. You’re probably running through fields all day, and sneaking steaks from somebody’s table. That’s good. I’m happy for you. But if you get some extra time, I want you to find my mama and tell her I said hi.”

He leaned down and kissed the rock, then whispered, “And tell her I’m gonna get the guy who killed her if it’s the last thing I do.”

I took Tip by the arm and walked back to the house, holding back my tears. Once inside, Tip seemed like a changed man.

“Connie, we got work to do. You can take me to get the car, or you can stay here and help.”

“Might as well work,” I said.

Tip went right to the charts, pulled out a fresh one and wrote across the top, ‘Carlos Cortes.’

“We know he’s going to get out,” Tip said. “We’ll never keep him with what we have.”

“We’ll find a way to get him.”

Tip looked at me with a hard-eyed stare. “You’re not following. I don’t
want
him back in. I’m not looking to convict him, I’m gonna kill him.”

“Don’t say that in front of me. Don’t do it.”

“You said it yourself. Are you backing out?”

“You don’t even know if he did it. You—”

He dropped the marker and came across the room at me, screaming. “Don’t know if he did it? There was a swizzle stick with a Mexican flag stuck to Kelly’s body. Who do you think did it, the waiter from El Tortuga?”

“Still…”

“Drop out if you want. Carlos is mine.”

About midnight a call came in from Elena. He told her what happened, almost crying again as he related the story.

I waited until he hung up. “She coming over?”

“Yeah, she said she’d be here soon.”

“That’s good. Tell you what, if it’s okay with you, I’ll go home.”

“You don’t have to leave.”

“I know I don’t have to, but I’d like to get in my own tub and my own bed.”

“Of course. I wasn’t thinking.” He reached for me and hugged me tight. “Gianelli, I can’t tell you how much I appreciate this. Everything you did…”

“Forget about it.”

“I couldn’t have done it without you. You’re special, girl.”

“Thanks, Tip. See you.” As I started to leave, I said. “I’ll tell Renkin you won’t be in tomorrow.”

“I might make it. Depends on Flash.”

“Call me if you hear anything on her.
Anything
.”

***

Tip woke to the
sound of dishes clanging and the smell of fresh-brewed coffee. “What the hell. What time is it?”

“Almost 8:30,” Mollie said. “You slept the whole night according to Elena.”

He looked around. “Elena? Where is she?”

“She’s in the other shower. Said you were asleep on the couch when she got here last night.” She told me what happened to the girls. “I’ll tell you what, Tip. You give me a gun and point me at the son-of-a-bitch who did this and I’ll make sure he doesn’t do anything to anyone ever again. I’ll shoot that motherfucker like I shot my husband. Damn heathen.”

Tip winced. He had never heard Mollie talk that way. “I just might do that, Mollie.”

“This ain’t no idle threat. I owe you.” She plopped a plate on the table with scrambled eggs and toast. “Elena, breakfast is ready.”

As Tip scooped up the food on his plate, Mollie watched him, nursing her own cup of coffee. “You know, Tip, I hate to bother you on a day like this, considering what happened last night and all, but I been thinking about how some people fall into a sort of stupor when something like this happens.”

“I’m feeling better.”

“Well, don’t mind me butting in, but we can’t afford to have you distracted. This killer needs catchin’ and quick, before he kills again. And he’s gonna do it soon. I know it sure as I’m standing here.”

“I’ll be working at it.”

“You better. Don’t want that son-of-a-bitch getting somebody else.”

Chapter 57

Hello Brownie

I
parked the car across from the station and got out in a hurry. I was already late and more than tired, a combination that made for a long day. I wondered how Flash was doing but didn’t want to call Tip this early in case he slept; besides, I felt sure he would call as soon as he heard something. “Hey, Bobby,” I said as I entered the building.

***

From across the street
Mr. Perfect watched her. He had been waiting a long time to get Brownie, ever since he saw her jogging that day in the park. Ever since she had ignored him as she ran by, as if she were superior, as if he didn’t count. He looked around, found no one watching so he rubbed himself. He’d show that bitch who counted. After tonight Brownie would know
just
who counted.

***

I pushed hard all
day, checking in with Tip no less than four times to get updates on Flash, then reporting the news to everyone at the precinct. About 2:15 the DA’s office called.

“Detective Gianelli, this is Assistant District Attorney Karen Grimes.”

I knew what was coming but played along. “Yes, Karen, what can I do for you?”

“I hate to tell you this, Detective, because I know how hard you worked on it, but we had to let Carlos Cortes go. We didn’t have enough to hold him.”

“You know he shouldn’t be on the streets,” I said, but was met with silence. “When did he get out?”

“Early this morning. There was nothing we could do.”

I waited, but then said what I knew she wanted to hear. “Not your fault, Karen. Thanks for calling.”

“Keep working on it. We’ll get him.”

I thought about calling Maxwell, but getting answers didn’t seem as crucial as it did earlier. As I walked the hall toward the desk, I passed Julie. “Hey, Julie, tell Renkin I went home early, okay? I’ve got stuff to do tonight.”

“No problem, Connie. See you tomorrow. And tell Tip we’re all thinking about him.”

“Yeah, see ya’.”

On the way home the phone rang. “Gianelli.”

“Connie, it’s Jeff.”

Surprised, I didn’t say anything for a few seconds. “Jeff, I’m sorry about last night.”

“You missed a good show, but let’s not think about that. What are you doing tonight?”

I could tell he was pissed. “I tried to call, but…my partner’s dogs got killed.”

“What happened?”

“Somebody killed them. I mean
murdered
them. I was dressed and ready to go when he called. I’m sorry, but there wasn’t much I could do.”

“Don’t think twice. My God, how terrible. Listen don’t worry about tonight, we—”

I probably answered too quick. “No, I’m fine. I could use a break, but I don’t have a dress to wear anymore, so it’ll have to be casual.”

“You sure?”

“Yeah, I’m sure. What do you want to do?”

“How about I pick you up about eight.”

“Great, see you then.”

***

Tip nursed his third
cup of coffee for the day, and he stared at the files on his table for what must have been the fiftieth time. If the killer was hiding in these files he was hiding damn good. He lined the charts up next to each other in the order they were killed. Mason on the left, then Gardner, Green and Santiago.

He stared again at the things in common: lips removed, beaten severely, raped, knew victim (or had another way in), no witnesses (except Santiago), all were young, all in good shape, all had brown hair, eye color different, all single. Lot of things in common, but the important things weren’t. They all worked at different places, two were rich, two poor. No one had shopped at same places or had nails or hair done in same places. Didn’t use same services or go to the same church. One of them even lived in New York.

Tip laid it all out in front of him, staring at the evidence as if it would jump up and speak to him, but nothing happened. As he walked to the kitchen to get another beer the phone rang. “Denton.”

“Tip, it’s Julie.”

“How’s it going?”

“That’s my question.” Her voice turned somber. “I heard about your dogs.”

He didn’t answer for a minute, and for a minute he wished people would stop asking him about them. It would be easier to just forget. He fought the tears, but won this battle. “I’m okay. At least I’ve still got Flash.”

“I’m glad she’s doing okay.”

“So what did you call for?”

“I almost forgot. Remember you had me doing all the research on Carlos Cortes?”

“Yeah, you can forget that. He’s out on bail and we’ll probably have to drop the charges soon.”

“Hold on, Tip. While I was doing research, I ran across Carlos this and Carlos that, especially related to charity things. Seems like he gives a lot of money to charity and such.”

“Yeah, so…”

“So, I’m looking through and I see where he sponsored a 5k charity run for cancer at Memorial Park.”