Checkmate (Caitlin Calloway Mystery Book 2)

  CHECKMATE

  As always, this is for Heather

  ALSO WRITTEN BY Mavis Applewater AND

  AVAILABLE FROM Wednesday Afternoon Press:

  Everlasting

  Tempus Fugit

  That Thursday Afternoon

  Home For The Holidays

  Whispering Pines

  Checkmate

  The Price I Paid

  www.wedapress.com

  CHECKMATE

  Wednesday Afternoon Press

  Mavis Applewater

  NOTE: If you purchased this book without a cover, you should be

  aware that it is stolen property. It was reported as “unsold and

  destroyed” to the publisher, and neither the author nor the publisher

  has received any payment for this “stripped book.”

  This is a work of fiction. All characters, locales and events are either

  products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

  Checkmate

  Copyright © 2014 by Mavis Applewater

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any

  manner whatsoever without written permission from the publisher,

  save for brief quotations used in critical articles or reviews.

  Orginal Cover design by Ann Phillips

  Cover design by Lindsey Palmer

  A Blue Feather Book

  Published by Wednesday Afternoon Press

  Boston, MA. 02148

  www.wedapress.com

  ISBN: -13: 978-1505489798

  ISBN: - 10: 1505489792

  First Edition, July 2014

  Second Edition December 2014

  Printed in the United States of America and in the United Kingdom

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  When creating a work such as this, none of it happens because of only one person. Having said that I would like to thank the following people: my publisher Emily Reed, who stuck it out after my real life kept getting in the way. I need to thank Mary Phillips my beta reader for calling me on the carpet more than once. Thank you to the best editor Nann Dunne; how that woman keeps her sanity is an amazing mystery. She didn’t even threaten to set me on fire this time. I need to thank my mother-in-law, Lillian, who loved The Brass Ring so much she thought a sequel was in order. I also need to thank my brother-in-law Shane whose knowledge of prison life was invaluable. Before you ask, no he wasn’t an inmate. Thank you to my dear friend Val Brown who gave money to a very worthy cause to become a character in Checkmate. Speaking of names, for a very long time this book was simply known as Brass Ring Two; thank you so much Sandy Thornton for giving it a proper name. Thank you to the women who led the way in my so-called life, Nana, Grammy, Ann Marie and Sunny. I need to thank my Mom for everything she continues to do. Most of all, I need to thank my wonderful wife Heather who, for some unknown reason, puts up with this crazy writer.

  PROLOGUE

  It made perfect sense once all the pieces were snapped into place. Not that it mattered now. CC understood all too clearly that in the very near future she would be dead. If not dead, teetering very close to the edge of death. Hell of a time to find out she’d been right all along. She found it hard to be smug. Self-satisfaction failed to mesh with the act of digging her own grave.

  She trembled ever so slightly each time the shovel crunched against the earth. She paused for a moment to brush the sweat from her brow.

  “Keep digging.” Her companion stressed the point by aiming the 9mm at CC’s body.

  “Maybe I’m not in a hurry.” CC couldn’t resist taunting her captor.

  Her impertinence was answered by a loud click of the gun’s hammer being cocked. The click echoed through the dark woods. “Haste does make waste,” CC quipped in a valiant effort to mask the fear coursing through her body.

  Boldly she gripped the handle of the shovel before thrusting it into the dirt. “Although,” she slowly began toying with the dirt. “I must say shooting me down like a dog and ditching my body in the woods lacks a certain finesse. I kind of expected more out of you.”

  “You have only yourself to blame, Detective,” was the answer, followed by a cruel chuckle. “If you hadn’t been such a know-it-all pain in the ass, your ending would have been far more creative. In fact, you would have enjoyed a little more time on this earth. But you just had to figure everything out and shoot your big mouth off. Personally, I prefer a more inventive approach to these matters. But in times of need, a good old-fashioned shoot ’em and ditch ’em always works. If it makes you feel better, I promise to be more creative when I take care of your little friend.”

  “Don’t!” CC jerked the shovel up.

  “Don’t what?” The barrel of the gun gleamed in the moonlight.

  The taunting laughter did nothing to abate the anger that was choking CC. Being mocked only spurred on her ire.

  “Need I remind you, Detective?” The taunting voice cut through CC’s soul. “At this very moment, you are in the middle of fucking nowhere. You’re digging a ditch that in all likelihood will become your final resting place. You are in no position to be making idle threats. Face facts. You’re a bit late to make good on any of your promises.”

  The harsh reality of the words was like a sharp blow. CC’s shoulders slumped. She was defeated. ‘Not the way I thought I’d go out.’ She lowered the shovel and stared at the tiny mound of dirt. It wasn’t her own demise that troubled her. No, what truly broke her heart was that she had failed Jamie. Now the love of her life was left vulnerable to a psycho. She would have broken down and cried if not for the knowledge that she would give the twisted freak some sort of sick thrill.

  Her lips curled into a defiant sneer. “I have never met anyone so perfectly suited for their profession.”

  “Thank you.”

  “It wasn’t a compliment.”

  “I know.”

  CC wasn’t certain, but she could have sworn she heard a hint of sympathy. She wondered if perhaps all was not lost. She decided to give it one last shot.

  “I guess I just don’t understand how someone so intelligent becomes a murderer.” CC struggled to make her words sound sincere.

  “Killer,” came the stern response. “Or assassin if you prefer. Why should my intelligence surprise you? After all, Simon Fisher was a smart boy.”

  “Not smart enough.” After all these years, just the mention of his name set CC on edge. “Lucky is more like it. That slimy little creep should have been locked up long before I ever heard his name.” Her little tirade was greeted by a wry chuckle. CC was encouraged by the response. “Unlike you, that shit-for-brains made a long list of mistakes.”

  “Now, now, Detective. Give yourself some credit. You alone got him. Hell, you got him to confess. You were the one who locked him away, making the world safe and sound for dykey little blondes.”

  “Until you came along,” CC said.

  “Circumstances beyond your control. If he wasn’t a stinking rich little bugger none of this would have happened, and we’d never be having this conversation. Sadly for you and yours, I’m a consummate professional. Which is why it truly is a pity Fisher is just as rich as he is crazy. I mean since my services come at such a high price tag.”

  “Worth every penny, I’m sure.” CC prayed that she sounded sincere. She felt she had the opening she so desperately needed. Then maybe, just maybe, Deputy Dumb Ass might pull her head out of her butt. If that happened, there might just be a happy ending after all. CC took a calming breath before playing her last card. “You know if it wasn’t for that one mistake.”

  “What mistake?”

  That sligh
t hint of panic in her captor’s voice gave her a glimmer of hope. The sight of the gun wavering made her heart beat just a little faster. She didn’t allow herself to feel happy, not just yet. At that moment, she just prayed her ploy would work.

  She heard a snicker. “Oh, I get it. A stalling tactic? Kind of lame coming from you.” The cruel laughter that followed shredded her hopes. Dread didn’t even come close to what she was feeling.

  Then the laughter stopped. “You know what, Detective?” the voice said in a cooing tone. “You deserve to have your say. After all, no one, and I mean no one, has ever gotten this close to me. Put your little shovel down for a moment, and tell me how you solved the great mystery. Must be a hollow victory knowing that the final proof that you were right will be proven by your death. Still, as I said, you’ve outdone all the others. Tell me all about me. Just remember to keep your feet and grubby little hands inside that ditch or I will shoot you right between your baby blues.”

  “Fair enough.” CC dropped the shovel to the ground. Her aching hands were the only part of her that felt any sense of relief.

  “I really do want to know how you figured it out. Tell me, what was my mistake?”

  “You don’t know?” CC said. “Well, okay then. Your plan on the surface was brilliant. I’ll give you that. You know how I got involved. The funeral and then the beach, but what sealed it for me were the bees and the keys.”

  CHAPTER ONE

  Things had been set in motion long before CC found herself being held at gunpoint. On a chilly night in September, her wife had just come in from work. Jamie, a doctor, worked the late shift in the emergency room at Boylston General hospital. CC also worked the late shift, but as a homicide detective with the Boylston Village Hills Police Department.

  Despite their demanding jobs, they led a quiet life. Most of the time. Sometimes life was anything but quiet. CC had no idea just how unsettled their lives were about to become. She returned from work, finished packing her travel bag, and set it by the front door.

  “I hate that you have to go and do this,” Jamie said when CC found her pacing around their bedroom.

  “James,” CC softly murmured the pet name she had given her wife almost two decades ago. “I know you hate this part of our lives. I’ll be on the first flight back.” She wrapped Jamie in a warm embrace.

  Jamie pressed her body tightly against CC’s. “I wish we could stay like this forever,” she said with a heavy sigh. “How much time do we have before Stevie comes to take you to the airport?”

  “Half hour.” CC shrugged. “I’m meeting her over at her place. Whatcha’ got in mind, Doc?” she added, trying to turn the mood into a playful moment. She wanted to leave Jamie with a sense of security. She shivered from the feel of Jamie’s hands running up along her sides. “Emma,” she said to Jamie who was tugging CC’s shirt out of her jeans.

  “She’s sound asleep at Stevie’s. I’m going over to their side of the house while Stevie is shuttling you to Logan.”

  Buying the old Victorian house and converting it into two separate homes had worked out well for the unusual family. Stevie, CC’s younger sister, had built-in babysitters for her daughter, Emma, while CC and Jamie had privacy. Most importantly, the close-knit family could stay close without tripping over one another.

  CC released a soft moan. Jamie had a way of completely distracting her. After all these years, she still drives me insane, she couldn’t help thinking when she felt the feathery touch of Jamie’s lips caress her shoulders. She was baffled as to how quickly her blouse and bra ended up on the floor.

  “How did my clothes end up down there?”

  “Shh.” Jamie flicked her tongue against CC’s nipple. “You’re leaving town, and I need to make certain that you don’t forget me.”

  “With any luck, I’ll be gone less then twenty-four hours.”

  “An eternity.” Jamie captured CC’s nipple between her lips.

  CC caught the look in Jamie’s eyes. It was a mix of desire and impatience. She knew it would be foolish to argue. She laced her fingers through Jamie’s hair and pressed her closer. CC struggled to stand, giving into the feel of Jamie capturing her erect nipple between her lips. Jamie suckled her harder.

  It was so easy for CC to give in to Jamie’s desires. From the first time to that moment, the passion between them only grew stronger.

  CC whimpered in protest when Jamie’s attention was drawn away from her breast. She was about to voice her objection when she felt Jamie’s mouth delightfully move down her body. She released a throaty groan. Jamie blazed a trail down CC’s taut body. In the back of her mind, she realized they didn’t have that much time. When she felt the button on her jeans being released, she couldn’t care less if she missed her flight.

  CC balanced herself, while Jamie tugged her jeans down her thighs. She murmured softly when Jamie placed feathery kisses across her abdomen.

  “Baby,” she pleaded.

  She parted her legs, allowing Jamie to lower her panties. She shivered when Jamie’s warm breath caressed her bare thighs. Jamie parted her with her tongue. CC reached down and pressed Jamie closer. CC trembled from the feel of Jamie eagerly licking her wetness. She cried out when Jamie suckled her clit between her lips. CC tried to speak and beg for more. She just couldn’t form the words. Instead she gave into the delightful feel of her wife suckling her engorged clit.

  Jamie held her captive, wasting no time before plunging two fingers deep inside CC’s warm wet center. She took her harder. CC fought to stay standing as her body quivered. Her knees began to buckle. Jamie feasted upon her harder. CC struggled to hold on. She cried out and gave in to the passion as she collapsed onto the bedroom floor. Her body shook while Jamie held her in a tender embrace.

  CC began to caress Jamie’s body, only to have her hands stilled. “We don’t have time,” Jamie said. “You need to wash up again.”

  “And whose fault is that, spoilsport?” CC managed to choke out the words from her raw throat. She struggled to her feet. “I left my bag over by the door, so you could repack it.”

  “I’m not going to repack your . . . ” Jamie’s objection faded. “Okay, I am. You know me all too well. You just don’t know how to pack. I’ll meet you at Stevie’s.” She gave CC a quick kiss.

  “I love you,” CC said with smile.

  She took a quick shower and chose a new outfit that would be comfortable for the cross-country trek. She made her way downstairs, resetting the alarms along the way. She paused in the kitchen and noticed the chess set that was set up in the corner by the breakfast nook. For a moment, she studied the Disney characters that the chess set was composed of. She and her seven-year-old-niece, Emma, had an ongoing game.

  She smiled at the move Emma had made. “Very clever.”

  They had bought the chess set at the Disney store, and Emma proved to be a quick study. Secretly, CC wanted the heroes characters, but since Emma chose them, she didn’t want to appear childish in front of the second grader.

  CC thought for a moment before moving Jafar, one of her bishops. She captured a Dalmatian, which was one of Emma’s pawns. Then she made her way over to the other side of the house to meet up with her sister.

  Deep in her heart she wanted to stay. She wasn’t looking forward to this trip.

  * * *

  The flight to the opposite coast was not only uneventful, it bordered on tedious. The only high point was replaying the memory of Jamie kneeling before her. CC did love the way her wife gave her a proper send off, she just hated the reason for her departure. On paper, taking a trip to California every few years sounded like a dream come true. These trips were by no means a vacation. She flew to the opposite side of the country whenever Dr. Simon Fisher was being evaluated. The good doctor was incarcerated in a maximum-security, federal mental hospital for the criminally insane. Detective Caitlin Calloway was the reason why.

  A few years back, little Simon was well on his way to becoming a full-fledged doctor when a little m
atter of his being a serial killer got in the way. His quarry was small, blonde, athletic types who reminded him of his high school sweetheart. He fell hard for these women, most of whom failed to notice him and, as luck would have it, turned out to be lesbians. It helped CC’s efforts to put him away for what she hoped was forever when she managed to get Simon to confess to where he hid his high school sweetheart’s body.

  Dr. Amelia Richards, an FBI shrink who helped put him away, described Simon as a serial killer with only one victim. He was killing the love of his life over and over again. His girlfriend, Janie, had gone off to college and fallen in love with another woman. Unable to deal with the rejection, Simon killed her.

  Fisher went on with his life, leaving a trail of bodies along the way. He only made one mistake. His mistake was choosing to complete his medical training in Boylston Village Hills, Massachusetts, a small town that was part of the city of Boston. There he crossed paths with Dr. Jamie Jameson who was a petite blonde with an athletic build and the love of Detective Caitlin Calloway’s life. When Simon tried to kill her girlfriend, CC took it very personally. In the decade that followed, Jamie and CC married and Simon spent twenty-three hours a day wandering around a glass-enclosed cell. He would have had a little more freedom if he hadn’t tried to escape on a number of occasions.