Conviction: Book 3 of the Detective Ryan Series (17 page)

Chapter 31-Ali

The sunshine entered my room through my curtains. It was a routine I had become accustomed to the last time I lived in this house, and thankful to have again. It gave me a sense of normalcy that had been lacking for so long. Glancing back at James, I decided it was time to take back my life. Slipping out from the arm draped across my body, I quietly dug out my running gear and dressed for another part of my morning routine that I had neglected. I left a note for James and Amanda to know where I went, and texted Rodney to see if he wanted to meet.

Living at my old house gave me the luxury of being close to the walkway. A ten minute drive took me from my driveway to the dirt parking lot next to the entrance. I took my time stretching as I waited for Rodney to show. When his car finally pulled up, he tossed me a bottle of water, quickly stretched, and met me at the gate.

“You ready?” he asked.

“You know it.”

We started out with a brisk walk which broke into a jog. We were half way down the walkway before either of us decided to speak.

“So how’s it going with you and Mr. Hot Shot?”

“Good, I guess.”

“What do you mean; you guess?”

“It’s new to me. We haven’t really figured out what we are just yet.” I felt guilty in saying that, but it was true. James and I haven’t given a title to what we were.

“Are you over him?”

My head snapped towards Rodney. “You know I’ll never be over him. He was the first guy I ever loved.”

Rodney stopped causing me to trip as I glanced back. “Ali, no one said you have to forget him. I get it. A part of you will always love him, but make sure that part doesn’t interfere with what you’ve got with Thornton.”

“Don’t you think I know that?” I moved to the guard rail with Rodney following close behind. “I wish I knew how to move on from it all, but I don’t. I keep thinking once we catch the real killer, that I’ll be able to move forward with my life.” I looked to Rodney for a confirmation of his understanding. “What happens if it doesn’t work? What if I can’t move on?”

“Ali, the only one preventing you from moving on is you. You need to learn to let him go and to live your life. That’s what he would’ve wanted.”

“How would you know what he wanted? You met him a couple of times. You barely knew him.”

“If you don’t believe me, then ask someone who did know him. Find someone who knew him better than you, and ask them what Matthew would’ve wanted.”

There were only a few people in the world that knew Matthew better than I did, and that was his family. “You know; I’ve been meaning to stop by his mother’s house again.”

“Okay, but let’s finish this run first.”

It took us an hour to get to the end of the walkway and run back across to the parking lot. We said our goodbyes before jumping in our cars. I decided to use the few minutes it would take me to drive home to call Matthew’s mother.

“Hi Mrs. Alvarado, it’s detective Ali Ryan.”

“Ali? Oh it’s so good to hear from you. How are you?”

“I’m doing as well as can be expected. I was wondering if I could stop by later today and talk to you.”

“Sure thing. My boys already left for work so we have the place to ourselves. Feel free to come over whenever you’d like.”

“Okay, I’m just getting back from a run with a friend, and have to stop in to the station for a bit, but I’ll be over this afternoon.”

As I got home from my morning run, I found James half asleep walking towards the bathroom. He saw me coming down the hall and stopped next to the door.

“You need the shower?” he asked.

“It’s okay, you can go first.”

“We can always go in together.” He wiggled his eyebrows emphasizing his intentions.

“I think we need to make yours a cold shower to cool you off. Besides, we have an impressionable pain in the ass sleeping across the hall.”

“I heard that,” Amanda shouted from her bed. “And we agreed you won’t do it in any communal areas.”

I raised my eyebrows. “You heard her. Guess you’ll need to find another way to cool off.”

“Or I’ll just wait until we’re back in your room.” His hands grabbed the elastic in my workout pants and pulled me closer to him.

“We have to be at the station to check-in with Esposito and see if Ms. Reed was able to get the warrants we needed.”

“You take all the fun out of morning; you know that.”

“Just be happy I don’t make you go running with me. Then you’d really know how much fun you could have.”

“Thanks, but I think I’ll pass.”

“Suit yourself, but that means I get the shower first.” I jumped into the bathroom and locked the door behind me, in case he got any more ideas about joining me.

An hour and a half later, we were both dressed and ready to drive to the station. Knowing how it would look, we decided to take two separate cars. He pulled up next to me at the first stoplight on Route-9W. I saw his eyebrow raise as the corner of his mouth turned into a smile that goaded me into racing him the rest of the way.

I floored the gas the moment the light turned green. Weaving in and out of the lanes filled with cars, with James matching me move for move. By the time I hit Route-299 he was nowhere to be found. Thinking he got stuck behind someone he couldn’t get around, I continued down the road to the station. As I pulled into the lot, I found the white Audi sitting out front.

How the hell did he get here before me?
I parked my car and stormed up to the doors.

“I guess I won,” he joked.

“You cheated.”

“I took a shortcut.”

“You mean you cheated.”

“It’s called a race. First person to get to the destination wins.”

Feeling a bit hot under the collar, I asked the loaded question I knew I’d regret asking. “Okay, so what do you win?”

The look in his eyes was predatory. He placed one hand on the wall outside the station. The other snaked around my waist. “You,” he whispered as his lips pushed against mine. Every thought about being caught or it being inappropriate to do in the workplace went out the window the moment I felt his strong hands pull me closer.

I knew if I didn’t push him away it would escalate into something we didn’t want to be caught doing. My palms rested on his chest. I tried put distance between us, but found them balling up fists of his shirt.

“Come on, guys,” Rodney’s loud smooth voice shouted from the parking lot. “Get a damn room already.”

I released my hold on James’ shirt as his grip around my waist loosened. Slowly stepping away, our cheeks reddened with the thought of being like school kids caught making out in a closet or empty classroom. I could hear the station doors close around the corner from where we stood. I pushed James away as we smoothed our clothes and hid our faces.

“Whoa, did we just walk in on something?” Officer Lombardo asked. His shit eating grin burned my cheeks with embarrassment. He took another step towards us. “Damn Detective, didn’t know you had it in you.”

“Fuck you, Lombardo,” I spat. But before he could reply, James stepped in front of me. One arm keeping me behind him; the other was ready to strike.

Rodney hurried towards us, helping me to restrain him. Lombardo took it as a challenge and was ready to fight as well. He came in for a cheap shot, but I saw it coming. Stepping around James, I hooked Lombardo’s arm, using a Judo flip to take him down to the ground. Officer Reyes came rushing to Lombardo’s side, making sure he didn’t get up swinging.

“Get off me, Rodney,” James snarled. I backed up towards him before he broke free.

“It’s over,” I shouted.

“Your boyfriend started it,” Lombardo growled.

“Yeah, and I finished it. Reyes, help your partner off the ground and get going. Rodney, take the other hot head inside.”

Reyes mumbled something to Lombardo who quickly scrambled to his feet. “Don’t think this is over, Ryan.”

“You threatening her?” James grunted as he lunged forward again. This time it took Rodney and me to hold him back.

“Keep it up, big shot. I’ll make sure you and that little piece of ass get put on desk duty for the next year.”

The station doors opened, letting a few more officers stumble out to see who was shouting. When they saw two officers being separated, they joined the fray forming a barrier between the two men. Another ran inside, based on what happened next, I assumed he told the Lieutenant there was a fight out in the parking lot.

“What the hell is going on out here?” Esposito snapped. His Columbian accent was distinctly noticeable as his anger increased. He stopped next to Rodney. “I want you three in my office now.” As we pushed James inside the station, I saw the Lieutenant walking towards Lombardo, no doubt trying to get his side of the story first.

Esposito returned to his office ten minutes later, slamming the door behind him as he entered the room. “You mind telling me what the hell happened out there?”

I told the Lieutenant what happened from our perspective while James did his best to cool off. Rodney corroborated my story while James just nodded.

“Did either of you want to make a formal statement?” Esposito asked, knowing full well it would only lead to more trouble.

“I think everyone just needed to blow off a little steam.”

“Then I suggest you do it on your own time and not in the station’s parking lot.” He looked around the room. “Now, can we get on with our meeting?”

“Sure, did any of the guys turn up anything?”

“None of the neighbors recall seeing anyone suspicious or anyone walking into Ms. Reynold’s house. But a few said they saw a silver Honda sitting across the street. It was there every night for about four or five hours, and it was gone before they went to bed. Most of them just thought it was someone stopping by a friend’s house.”

“Did any of them happen to get a plate number?” James asked.

“No, they didn’t find it suspicious at the time.”

Knowing the neighbors would amount to nothing, I quickly changed the subject. “Did anything turn up on the keys?”

“Most of the stores were closed last night when I called it in. I’m sending out more teams today. Hopefully, someone will find the right store.”

That was it. Our leads were drying up fast and we weren’t anywhere close enough to finding this Puppet Master’s real name or any evidence linking him to any of the homicides.

“Ali, did you hear back from the A.D.A. yet?” Rodney asked.

I shook my head as the Lieutenant reached for the phone. He quickly dialed the number and asked to speak with Ms. Reed.

“Lieutenant Esposito,” she said with a bit of annoyance in her voice. “How can I help you?”

“I wanted to check on the status of the warrants Detective Ryan inquired about. Were you able to get them?”

“No, not yet. The judge wants more evidence than just the word of a woman set to stand trial for murder.”

“How are we supposed to get more evidence when this is the best lead we have?” I shouted.

“Detective, I suggest you find alternative methods to getting the answers you seek. Maybe go down there and speak to someone in charge and use your,” she let out a brief cough, “charm to persuade them.”

At that moment I wanted cram my charm down her throat. If I had done things my way, I would’ve been down there raising hell until I got what I wanted. Instead, I decided to do things by the book.

“Fine, I’ll pay them a visit later today.”

The Lieutenant hung up the call and placed both hands on his desk. “You’re taking him with you.” He pointed to James. “Hopefully you can keep each other in line for the rest of the day, or do I need to send someone to babysit you.” His eyes skirted towards Rodney.

Although it would be good for him to be back in the field, I couldn’t risk him jeopardizing the case. “That won’t be necessary.”

“I should hope not. Now, I believe you all have some work to do. Detective Johnson, you are free to do as you please, but I suggest you try to keep your nose clear of the investigation.”

That was the Lieutenant’s way of telling him to back off just enough to not get caught. It was something I had been told many times.
Wow, he really is my partner
.

Chapter 32-Ali

I told James I would call him before going to speak with the person responsible for the self-help seminars. It was still early in the day, and I wanted to catch up with Mrs. Alvarado before getting carried away with work again.

The moment my car pulled up in front of the house, Mrs. Alvarado flung open the door and started down the steps to greet me. I tried to move faster so she didn’t have to walk as far, but she made it halfway down the path by the time she caught up to me.

“Ali, my dear,” Mrs. Alvarado said as she threw her arms around me. She was five inches shorter than me, but still managed to bring me down to her level with a single hug. “It’s so good to see you. How’ve you been?”

I’m doing well. I’m back working again.”

“Don’t tell me they got you on another case already.”

“Kind of…it’s more like a bunch of cases from the last year that all center around one person.”

She stared at me for a moment before shaking her head. “Let’s talk more inside.” Her hand rested at the small of my back as we walked back to the house together. She led me to the kitchen and began taking plates of food from the fridge.

“Mrs. Alvarado, that’s not necessary.”

“Nonsense. You’re a guest in my home. It’s only right that I offer you something to eat.” Mrs. Alvarado seemed to take hospitality to a whole other level.

We sat down and had lunch together, letting us get to know each other a little better. I told her more about my life growing up on the farm with my parents and sister. She told me more about her sons as she showed me more albums filled with pictures of them growing up.

Then she showed me the one for Matthew. The lump in my throat grew to the size of a golf ball as I stared at his picture. I was ridden with guilt. Guilt over choosing to help Rodney prove his innocence while Alvarado family grieved over their loss. Guilt for starting something with James when Matthew died a couple months ago.

“Mrs. Alvarado, I have something I need to tell you.”

Her hand held the page upright as she began to turn it. Her mouth hung open as she waited for me to continue, but I didn’t know what to say next.

“I think your son’s death is part of something much bigger than we initially thought.” The page of pictures fell onto the rest. I could see the questions formulating in her mind, but no words managed to come out. “It turns out the suspect in Matthew’s murder may not have been the shooter after all.”

“Don’t tell me you’re standing with that man because he’s a fellow officer. He shot my boy. He deserves justice.”

“I agree; there should be justice for Matthew’s death. But there are several pieces of evidence that contradict the initial theory.” I wanted to show her the evidence. I wanted to make her understand that Rodney wasn’t the bad guy. “I can’t go into details, but the person responsible for the shooting is the same man who’s been behind several other murders including two recent homicides.”

Mrs. Alvarado stared into my eyes as she placed her hands on top of mine. “I know you loved my son. If you think this man is innocent, then you do what you must. I trust you to find my son’s killer.”

“I promise you; I will.” Wiping the tears from our faces, we continued flipping through the pages of the photo album. Towards the end of the book, I saw a picture that caught my eye. It was Matthew dressed in one of his suits, standing in front of a sign that said Confidence Builders. “Where was this picture taken?”

Mrs. Alvarado pulled the album closer. “That was taken a few years ago, when Matthew started his company.”

“I’m sorry; what company?” She cocked her head to the side studying my clueless expression. I knew how it appeared. I dated her son for almost a year and had no idea what he did for a living.

“Matthew wanted to help people, and opened up a company which catered to building confidence. His seminars took him all over the country for a while, but got his start here. I believe the group still hosts a meeting every week in his building.”

“Do you know who took over after Matthew’s death?”

“No, but I assume it was his business partner, Mr. Lewis.”

“Thanks, Mrs. Alvarado.” I hugged her and made a move for the front door. The moment her hand closed around my wrist, I froze and was rooted to the spot.

“Ali, he would want you to be happy.”

“Excuse me?”

“My Matthew, he’d want you to be happy. Find his killer. Bring him justice. Find someone that makes you happy and don’t let go.”

It was the reason I came to see Mrs. Alvarado. I wanted some sort of sign telling me to move on. Hearing her give me permission cleared away any guilt I felt.

“I will,” I replied. “But I’m taking down the low-life responsible for this first.”

The moment I entered my car, I took a deep breath, clearing my mind of any lingering thoughts of guilt. The hard part was over, and my focus was back to catching a killer. Knowing I needed to do some research first, I texted James to meet me at the station.

I beat him there and raced to my computer, looking up all the information I could on Matthew Alvarado and his company. Before long, I knew his entire business history; when he started it, where it was located, how long they stayed local before expanding, and who is business partner was.

By the time James showed up, I had everything I needed to know about the company. I just hoped both of us could keep calm while questioning Matthew’s business partner.

We took his car to the office building and flashed our badges to convince the secretary to let us speak with Mr. Lewis. He was surprised by our visit, which was evident by the wide eyed expression as he shifted focus from James to me and back again.

“Detectives, how can I help you?”

“We’re investigating a string of homicides that have occurred over the last year. We were hoping you could help us by answering a few questions?”

“Yes, of course. I’ll be happy to answer whatever I can.”

“How long have you been in business?” James asked.

“We’ve been in business for the last six years.”

“In those six years, would you say you have gone through many employees and volunteers?” My follow up question took him a bit by surprise.

“I-I don’t really know the exact number. My business partner handled more of the operations, staffing and training. I handle more of the marketing and event planning.”

“So you’re familiar with your staff then?”

“Are you insinuating a member of our staff is a murderer?”

“That’s what we’re here to find out. In the last year, we took down two suspects that were responsible for a total of ten murders. One of them confessed she was working with another person and claims to have met him at one of your meetings.”

“Did she give you a name?”

“No, she said he went up to the podium to deliver his presentation. She never heard his name. The suspect said she saw him several times since then at the meetings, but he never presented after that.”

“Detective, that does nothing to help narrow down the list of possible suspects. We have some of the men and women who have improved their lives thanks to our seminars, go up and tell their story. The list of people could be endless.”

“This would be only within the last year or two.”

“Sure, I’d be happy to help prepare that list for you. I just need to see a warrant first.” He looked at us with a smug look. “What; no warrant? I’m sorry, Detectives. I suggest you come back when you’ve gone through the proper channels to obtain confidential information.”

“You realize you’re helping this guy get away with murder. The same man that killed your business partner.”

“I would love to help, but my hands are tied. Come back when you have those warrants.”

I could feel the hostility rising within me. I was ready to jump over the desk and throttle the man for withholding the information from us. I think James could sense it too. He grabbed my hand under the table and gave it a squeeze.

“Come on; let’s go, Ali.” Taking me by the hand, he led me away from the office.

“How dare you treat me like a child in front of him,” I snapped the moment we walked outside.

“I’m sorry, but I know you. You were about to go off on him and blow any chance we had at getting him to cooperate.”

“So what are we supposed to do?”

“We need to find a way to back him into a corner.”

“I think I have just the trick.” I strutted to the car brimming with confidence. “Are you just gonna stand there all day?” I asked while glancing over my shoulder.

“Sorry, just admiring the view.”

“Well hurry up. We need to get down to the courthouse.”

James must have read my mind as he swiped at his lips in frustration. “You know that woman hates me; right?”

“Yup, that’s why you’re staying in the car. Now let’s go.”