Checkmate (Caitlin Calloway Mystery Book 2) Read online

  It pleased CC that Simon’s arrogance hadn’t waned. It kept him locked up tighter than ever. She and Jamie feared the day some idiot would declare that Simon was no longer crazy and set him free. Granted, if that unlikely event ever happened, she had a backup plan. For now, she had to go before the board and explain that Simon Fisher was a whack job. He was always nuts, and no matter how many drugs or hours of therapy he endured, he would remain a psycho who should never be allowed to walk the streets. Alas, there were laws that needed to be complied with.

  CC and a list of others who had helped lock up Simon would say their bit. The prison shrinks would say their bit, and of course, Simon’s lawyer, who was usually new to his case, would say his bit.

  Two things worked in CC’s favor. Simon would never admit to killing anyone. He claimed that CC had framed him in an effort to steal his girlfriend. The doctors and lawyers would point out that Jamie was never his girlfriend. Dr. Jamie Jameson was now CC’s wife. All nice and legal, thanks to the laws in Massachusetts. Simon’s stoic demeanor would quickly unravel, and he’d start ranting like a complete lunatic. His lawyers would claim CC baited him. The panel would only hear Simon’s insane ranting. Detective Brooks and CC would feel vindicated then grab dinner. She could set her watch by it.

  CC went through the process of entering the secure facility for the mandatory hearing. Once inside, she took a moment to collect her thoughts. Seeing Fisher was never easy. The only good thing about looking into his beady little eyes every few years was the knowledge that he was locked up.

  “Detective,” an uneasy voice said from behind her.

  A long time ago, Caitlin had learned there wasn’t a polite way to greet someone who had lost their child to senseless violence.

  Richard Jensen blamed her for not sending Simon to prison instead of getting the little psycho locked up in a federal loony bin. He wanted Simon to pay for his daughter’s life with his own.

  “I can’t believe we have to go through this again.” His words were quiet, yet CC could feel the pain behind them. She had to agree. She wanted Simon locked up somewhere dark and for someone to lose the key.

  “I know.” It was the only thing she could think of saying.

  “My wife passed on coming this time. It takes too much out of her. Seeing that smug little bastard sitting there acting as if he’s the victim.”

  “My wife feels the same.” CC struggled with the words. “She stayed in Boston.”

  “Look, Detective Calloway. I know I’ve said things in the past. I understand you did the best you could to get him off the streets. I was angry. Hell, I’m still angry.”

  “Mr. Jensen, you have a right to be angry. At me for not getting enough evidence to lock him up. At him for doing this. At the cops here and in all those other cities for not stopping him sooner. Please trust me that if for some bizarre reason he gets out of here, he won’t get away.”

  “Why didn’t we see it? Why did I trust him with my daughter? Why didn’t she trust us enough to tell us that Simon wasn’t the nice boy we thought he was? Why didn’t she tell us she was gay? We would have kept loving her.”

  “Tough stuff to deal with when you’re so young.” CC tried to comfort him.

  “How did your parents deal with it?”

  “They threw me out of the house. It was complicated.”

  “Shame on them,” he said. “At least they know that you’re alive. Shame on them.” He turned away and entered the room where Simon’s review was to be held.

  CC wasn’t surprised that he chose to sit alone in the back corner. Richard Jensen would more than likely spend the rest of his life searching for answers.

  She tried to make herself comfortable in the hard plastic chairs that had been provided. Brooks took a seat next to her. He was a big man, his graying hair thinning despite his attempts to cover it up. She did notice he was looking much fitter than he had in the past.

  “Always thought it was a shame they didn’t send the little shit to Pelican Bay.” Brooks snorted with disdain.

  “You’re looking well,” CC said.

  “Quit drinking and smoking.” He smirked. “I even took up jogging.”

  “All of your bad habits at once.” She was impressed. Brooks lived to chain-smoke. “Couldn’t have been easy.”

  “Easier than I thought. After you caught the little snot bag, my life got a whole lot easier. Even seeing my kids on a regular basis.”

  “Good for you.”

  “Life’s been so good, I’ve turned in my papers.”

  “No,” CC whispered so she wouldn’t disturb the proceedings. “Must be going around. My partner’s doing the same.”

  “Max? You’ve been together a long time.”

  “I rode with him when I was a rookie and for a while after that, until he got his gold shield. Then when I got mine, he asked to partner with me. He’s been by my side forever. I think our last case got to him.”

  ”How’s life treating you? Enjoying married life?”

  “Can’t complain.” CC fought against the blush that crept up along her neck.

  “I see Jamie passed on attending again,” he said softly.

  “It’s too hard on her. The whole thing brings back too much pain. Besides, we have a new house that needs everything fixed. Apparently, despite my butch exterior, I suck with power tools.”

  “Another myth destroyed. There’s Malcolm.” He nodded towards Simon’s father.

  “I can’t imagine how hard this is on him,” CC noted.

  “At least he isn’t in denial like the old lady.” Brooks jerked his thumb to the opposite side of the room where Simon’s mother was seated.

  CC groaned. “She’s never going to see the light. Didn’t you know we framed her baby boy? All those women who look exactly like his high school sweetheart turning up dead is just a coincidence. We must have planted Janie’s body under the boathouse. No other explanation. Do we really need to be here?”

  “They need you here.” Brooks’ tone was stern. “One look at you and Simon gets antsy. Then when you explain that you and Dr. Jameson are happily married, he’ll show the board just how loony toons he truly is. God help us if he ever gets out. Still have that backup plan?”

  “Florida and Texas. Three bodies not listed in the original plea agreement. They happen to fall in two states that will fry him before he gets a chance to lie his way out of it. Texas won the coin toss on who gets first crack at him. If he ever steps outside of this place, there will be a Ranger waiting on the steps.”

  CC hadn’t hesitated to offer the information to the out-of state authorities. Simon Fisher was off the streets. The burning question was for how long? The day he entered the mental facility, she ran his DNA profile. When she got three hits on cold cases, she called the locals and let them know.

  She did feel bitter that she had been forced to settle. The Jensen family wasn’t the only family of victims that were less than pleased that she had only managed to get Simon locked up in a hospital instead of prison. They all wanted vengeance.

  “There’s Janie’s father,” Brooks whispered.

  “I saw him earlier,” CC answered, mindful to keep her voice low. “Don’t know how he holds it together. I know I shouldn’t have, but I promised him there was no way Simon was going to walk. It’s a promise I plan on keeping.”

  “I always liked your style, Calloway. Now blow Fisher a kiss and set him off so we can get dinner.”

  “Not that much longer,” CC said with a snicker. “I’m next.”

  While waiting to be called, CC couldn’t help noticing that Simon’s father seemed relieved, while Simon’s mother appeared to be annoyed. She smirked when she noticed that Simon was doing everything in his power not to look at her. His new lawyer was a tall blonde who didn’t ask many questions but did keep up a soft murmuring to herself that CC couldn’t help but notice.

  When CC’s turn came, the federal prosecutor had her recount the events that led up to Simon’s arrest and confess
ion. There really wasn’t much to ask. Most of CC’s testimony hinged on Simon’s confession. How he talked as if Janie was still alive and then revealed where he had hidden her body. On the advice of his extremely stunned and angry counsel, Simon took a deal.

  “I don’t have any questions for Detective Calloway,” the new lawyer said. “As I have previously stated, persons who knew Dr. Fisher in the outside world have no bearing on this hearing. We are here to determine whether or not his treatment has been successful. Detective Calloway’s presence at these proceedings only serves one purpose and that is to agitate my client.”

  “Point taken, again,” one of the board members said with a hint of boredom. He addressed the prosecutor “Mr. Burkhart?”

  “I have only one last thing to ask Detective Calloway.”

  “Go on.”

  “Detective, are you married?”

  “Yes.” CC said.

  “Objection.”

  CC squirmed uncomfortably in the witness chair. Each time she announced that she was involved with Jamie and later married her, the little snot went ballistic. Most of the attendees found it entertaining. There was the notable exception of Simon and the poor bastard who was representing him. All in all, it usually wrapped things up fairly quickly.

  “Despite what Ms. Cockburn thinks, this question is pertinent,” Burkhart said. “Dr. Fisher’s stability is the central question. In the past, his response to Detective Calloway’s personal life has given us a clearer view of Dr. Fisher’s state of mind.”

  While the lawyers and the panel jockeyed back and forth, CC sat there not really paying attention. All she could think of was what an unfortunate last name Simon’s lawyer had been stuck with. She was also pondering if she was working pro bono since this was the first time she had spoken during the hearing. While the other witnesses testified, she sat next to Simon scribbling on a notepad and humming Hey, Diddle, Diddle. CC wondered whether Malcolm finally locked Simon out of his trust fund, or had Ms. Cockburn simply drawn the short straw at the firm?

  “I think Mr. Burkhart has a valid point,” one of the members of the board said. CC recognized him from previous hearings. The guy always seemed to enjoy watching Simon go off the deep end. “Detective Calloway, you may answer the question.”

  “Yes.”

  “And who are you married to?”

  “Dr. Jamie Jameson.”

  “Lying bitch!” Simon jumped from his chair and almost knocked the table and his attorney over.

  Order was called for, but it was useless. Simon ranted on about how CC was a lying dyke who framed him in a futile effort to steal his girlfriend. It further bolstered the prosecutor’s case when Simon kept confusing Jamie’s name with Janie’s. Poor Janie Jensen, whose only mistake had been being Simon’s first girlfriend and subsequently his first victim. The hearing wrapped up fairly quickly after Simon had to be restrained and medicated.

  “Well, he’s off for a healthy dose of Haldol and a four-point restraint.”

  CC shrugged when she rejoined Brooks. “Lawyer doesn’t look too upset.”

  “Probably the best he could afford. I heard Malcolm cut off Simon’s trust fund.”

  “Oh.” CC nodded thoughtfully. “I thought she pissed off her boss and this was her punishment. Know a good seafood place?”

  “I’m in the mood for steak.”

  After a relaxing dinner, CC kept her word and was on the first available flight back to Boston. She didn’t get home until well after three in the morning. Still, leaving the drama behind her and crawling into bed with the love of her life was well worth the lack of sleep.

  * * *

  While CC was on the West Coast ruining Simon Fisher’s day, her wife Jamie was back home. She stood in the yard pretending to rake. Normally, she enjoyed her time outside, pruning and planting. It reminded her of the times she spent with her mother and grandmother back in Maryland.

  When CC, Jamie, and Stevie purchased the house, they had discussed hiring a landscaper. Thankfully Stevie shared Jamie’s interest in getting out into the fresh air and trying to do a little manual labor. For Jamie it was perfect, spending time with her sister-in-law or alone, outside enjoying the day. Since she worked the late shift at the hospital, she had all day long to go out and get dirty.

  That day, Jamie was far too occupied with what was happening on the other side of the country. They had good lives, except for the constant reminder of what happened when Simon entered the scene. The only good to come out of the whole fiasco was that she and CC were reunited. But she felt that would have happened without all the psycho drama and bloodshed.

  “Hey there.” Stevie’s voice disrupted her troubling thoughts. The lanky brunette pointed to the patch of ground that Jamie had raked so hard she had begun to turn the soil. “I think you got that spot.”

  “Crap.”

  “It will be okay.”

  “I know.” Jamie tried to sound confident. She just couldn’t shake the feeling that one day it was all going to unravel. “Come join me? I know playing on your computer pays the bills, but it’s too nice to be stuck inside.”

  “Maybe later.” Stevie hesitated. “Can you do me a favor? I have a client meeting in the morning. Can you drop Emma off at school?”

  “No problem,” Jamie absently agreed, her mind still three thousand miles away. “Another client meeting? Been doing a lot more of those.”

  “No choice.” Stevie grimaced. “The economy isn’t very cooperative these days. If I lose another client, I don’t know if I’ll be able to keep up.”

  “Don’t worry. We’re ahead on the mortgage, thanks to your Uncle Mac. That was quite some envelope he slipped us after we got married.”

  “Uncle Mac is good that way.” Stevie beamed. “Enough about money. You’re right, it is far too nice to be hiding indoors.”

  Stevie dashed inside leaving Jamie alone with her thoughts. Jamie finally smiled when Stevie raced outside and grabbed a bag of mulch. “I was thinking we need a splash of color along the walkway,” Stevie said.

  “Look, it’s Misty,” Stevie whispered while tugging on her gardening gloves. She nodded toward the mail carrier who was making her way towards their house. “Morning!” she excitedly greeted the woman.

  Jamie rolled her eyes wondering what Stevie liked best about their new home, the size, the yard, or the sexy mail lady? Jamie offered her good morning before stepping away. She preferred not to watch Stevie act all goofy around Misty. Jamie couldn’t understand it. Normally, her sister-in-law was confident and easygoing with everyone she met. Around Misty for some reason, Stevie got positively silly.

  “Why don’t you just ask her out?” Jamie said after Misty had made her way to the next house.

  “And if she says no? We’d never get our mail.”

  “Good point.”

  “What is this?”

  “A card.” Jamie noted the obvious as she began to clean up and put away her gardening tools. It was getting late. She needed to start getting ready for work. She grunted when Stevie thrust the card at her. Jamie’s eyes widened when she looked at it. “Who sent it?”

  “No return address.” Stevie scrunched up her face. “No signature.”

  “A Father’s Day card,” Jamie said. “Definitely the wrong house.”

  CHAPTER 2

  The following morning began a tad too early for CC’s tastes. The sounds of giggling disrupted her sleep, and she tried to hide under her pillow. The hysterical giggling continued. “Argh!” She reached for her lover. She needed Jamie to make the annoying giggling stop before CC was forced to shoot something.

  “Coffee?” She slapped the empty mattress. Still nowhere near a conscious state, she kept slapping the spot where Jamie should be sleeping. After several moments of grasping at empty air, it finally occurred to her that Jamie was not nestled beside her. When CC had arrived home a few short hours ago, Jamie was fast asleep. She had snuggled up against her wife and listened to the sweet murmuring sounds she made as she sl
ept. Now in the stark light of day she wearily lifted her head.

  “No Jamie.” She smacked her lips. Her eyes finally blinked open.

  “Aunty Caitlin?” her niece, Emma, screeched from downstairs.

  A loud “Sssh,” quickly followed Emma’s piercing shrill. “Yeah, that’ll work.” Defeated, CC climbed out of bed, scowled, and descended the staircase.

  “Coffee,” she said, unaware of the angry glare Jamie was sporting.

  “Auntie Caitlin!” Emma squealed and jumped off of her chair. The impish seven-year-old darted across the kitchen and attached herself to CC’s leg before Jamie could intervene.

  “Peanut?” CC tried to sound joyous.

  “Don’t,” Jamie said before CC could reach down and scoop Emma up in her arms. “You’re not awake yet.”

  Somewhere in the back of her mind, CC recalled being half-asleep and injuring her back while picking up Emma. The injury hadn’t been serious, damaging her pride more than her back.

  “Coffee?” she repeated hopefully. In her foggy mind, it seemed like a reasonable request.

  “Counter,” Jamie said and sighed.

  CC moved directly towards the coffeemaker perched on the counter. She was unaware that Emma remained attached to her leg. The youngster failed to loosen her grasp as CC poured her coffee. She paused for a moment to inhale the delectable aroma, took her first sip, and felt the world righting itself. A second sip encouraged her to look down at the child clinging to her.

  “Peanut?” She was suddenly curious as to why a small child was latched onto her. “Why?” She directed the question towards her wife.

  “I love these morning chats,” Jamie said wryly. CC simply sipped her coffee. “Stevie had a meeting with a client.”

  “Feed me,” Emma sweetly pleaded.

  “Want some coffee?”

  “Yes!”

  “No,” Jamie said sternly. Somewhere in the midst of her fog, CC knew Jamie was right and that for some reason it was bad to offer a seven-year-old a cup of coffee.

  “Cereal?” CC slowly lifted Emma up and placed her back in her chair.