Quick Kill (A Sydney Granger Murder Mystery) Read online

  CHAPTER 2

  Brenny Erikson ran down the courthouse steps. She was off-balance and veered right because her briefcase dragged on her arm. Her other hand held her plastic coffee mug and an assortment of file folders. Wind whipped her dark hair into her eyes and mouth. She grabbed a fistful of hair and held it aside so she could see her feet on the steps.

  “Brenny, wait up.”

  She stopped and turned around. The rest of her hair smacked her face the other way. She tightened her grip on the folders that strained to escape.

  Daniel Peach rushed down the steps and stopped in front of her. He had short, perfectly coiffed hair that didn’t seem bothered by the gusts. Could’ve been the ton of gel he used on it.

  “I called you three times. What, have you suddenly gone deaf?” Daniel frowned at her.

  “Sorry, I just had to get out of there. I’m starving, I need a coffee, and my feet are killing me.”

  “Counselor.” Daniel linked his arm through Brenny’s. “You were brilliant in there today, and I am sensing a victory, girlfriend! I’m going to treat you to the best linguini you’ve ever tasted. Come with me.” He took Brenny’s briefcase and almost fell down the steps. Brenny grabbed his arm and righted him.

  “Holy Toledo, what the hell do you have in here?” He put his other hand on the handle.

  “I know, I’m sorry. I need to have all the important docs with me; I never know what I’ll need before I need it. Here, let me help. We’ll hold it together.” Brenny grabbed a handle.

  “Together, together…” Daniel sang off-key.

  They continued down the steps together.

  At the bottom, they turned right and walked along University Avenue to Trattoria, a tiny Italian restaurant tucked between a Turkish bar and a French bistro. The small front patio contained three round tables with bright red-and-white checkered tablecloths, surrounded by a rusty wrought-iron fence. Glass encased the menu next to the front door. The pair stopped to study it.

  “Oh lordy, too many choices.” Brenny licked her lips.

  “They have the most fantastic lasagna, and the most succulent waiters.” Daniel elbowed Brenny lightly in the ribs.

  Brenny rolled her eyes. “Did you bring me here to feed me or to get me a date?”

  Daniel smiled as he opened the door and ushered her inside.

  A male host in a dark blue suit holding a stack of menus sailed up to them. “Hello. Table for two?”

  “Yes, please.” Daniel giggled. He blushed easily when any handsome man came near him. Make that any man. He’s the one who needs the date.

  They were led to a table on the left side of the restaurant, opposite the long wooden bar. Waiters hustled back and forth, their long aprons swishing around their ankles. The aromas of spicy tomato sauce, garlic, and espresso floated in the air, and the faint sound of clanking dishes drifted in from the kitchen.

  The host handed over two menus and said, “Buon appetito. Enjoy your meal.”

  “How I love the Italian language.” Daniel sighed. “So exotic and romantic.”

  After a couple of minutes, a sturdy squat man came over, with an order pad in hand and a mustache the size of a small rodent perched on his upper lip. “Are you ready to order? Would you like to hear the specials?” He had a sing-song voice and hesitated slightly before uttering the last syllable in each sentence.

  Brenny peered over the top of her menu at Daniel. “Do you know what you want? It seems a bit expensive, no?”

  Daniel widened his eyes. “You’re not allowed to look at the prices! This is my treat and a freaking celebration, girl. Don’t be difficult.”

  “Sì?” The waiter tapped his pen on the top of the order pad.

  “Um, it all looks so good. I think—yes, the lasagna, please.”

  “Bene. Garlic bread?” he suggested with a smile.

  “No way,” Brenny said, looking at Daniel. “I can’t be stinking up the courtroom!” She realized that might not have come out well and looked up at the waiter, prepared to see a frown, but he was still smiling.

  “Oh no, it’s not possible that a beautiful woman like you could ever be stinking. Please don’t you worry about it.”

  “Thanks, but I’ll pass.”

  The waiter nodded, then looked at Daniel.

  Wow, she’d heard about these sexy and delightful Italians that adored all women in every size and form. Maybe she would go on that holiday after all—to Italy, and investigate one of these fascinating creatures up close. Real close.

  “I’ll have the same, please. Plus a bottle of your house red.” Daniel handed his menu to the waiter.

  “You’re drinking that all by yourself. I never drink at noon.” Brenny unrolled her napkin and put it on her lap.

  “Holy smokes, Batman. Would you lighten up? Which part of ‘celebration’ did you not understand?”

  A smaller, younger version of the waiter ducked in beside him and plunked a basket full of bread on the table, then disappeared without a sound.

  “Very good,” the waiter said, taking their menus. “Please enjoy the bread, and I will bring your vino.”

  “Oh, no way, no bread.” Daniel shook his head and pushed the basket towards Brenny. “I’m watching my carb intake.” Daniel slapped his butt.

  The waiter paled and disappeared.

  Brenny laughed. “Will you behave yourself, please?”

  “You can dress me up… I’m too excited to ‘behave.’ You were so amazing in there today, you mesmerized the entire courtroom.”

  “Oh, no, I wouldn’t say that—” Brenny broke off a piece of bread.

  “Well, I would. You’ll see as soon as we get back, you mark my words, sweetheart.”

  The waiter brought their wine and food. “Buon appetito.”

  Daniel watched him walk away with pointed concentration.

  “Daniel, you perv. Eat your lunch!”

  Brenny took a forkful of lasagna and tried it. “Oh my God, this is incredible!” She closed her eyes and chewed slowly.

  “I know. It’s one of Toronto’s best-kept secrets.” Daniel forgot his carb patrol and broke off a piece of bread for himself. “So, tell me, when do we need to be back?”

  Brenny had just given a kick-ass closing argument on her latest case. She hoped the jury was convinced by her closing argument and voted to acquit, but her evidence was flimsy, and she suspected her client was guilty. Daniel had done an amazing job assisting her on the case. “Jerry will page me when the jury’s back.”

  “Better not be before I’ve finished this piece of heaven or before you get the sexy latino’s phone number.” Daniel dunked another piece of bread in olive oil, then popped it in his mouth.

  “Not going to happen, Danny. Give it up.” Brenny shook her head as she wiped her mouth on her hard linen napkin.

  They ordered cappuccinos to finish, then Daniel paid the bill, and they left the restaurant.

  “I’m going to head straight to the office if that’s okay, Bren. I’ve got some stuff to finish up before we get called back in. Text me when the jury is ready, okay?”

  “Okay, darling. I’m going to stretch my legs for a bit; I think I ate too much. Thanks so much for lunch. It was wonderful.”

  “A pleasure, my dear. But promise me we’ll have a real shindig when it’s all over, okay? I found a caterer that does these divine little mango tarts, and I’m dying to try her out.” Daniel was bouncing up and down on his toes.

  “Yes, I promise. Now get out of here.” Brenny waved. Daniel clapped his hands, pivoted, and walked off down the street.

  Brenny headed to the travel bookstore two blocks away to browse the guidebook section for her upcoming holiday. As she walked along, the chilly spring air felt crisp and refreshing. She inhaled deeply. Brenny felt content, with a sense of accomplishment. She thought she had put up a hell of a fight, even though she had been defending a scumbag.

  Strolling along, she was lost in thought of whether she should go to Rome or Venice, as she crossed
in front of an alley.

  A thick hand grabbed her arm and yanked her inside, throwing her on the ground. Her folders flew out of her hand and papers scattered everywhere. She landed with a thud on her back, the wind knocked out of her chest. Her coffee mug landed beside her and bounced out of sight.

  What the hell—

  A tall man in a dark coat came towards her. He was wearing a hat pulled low over his eyes so she couldn’t make out his face.

  “What the fuck do you want?” Brenny yelled as she jumped up and backed up a few steps, going deeper into the alley to get away from him. “Here, take my money. You can have everything.”

  She looked down at her hands. Darn it, she’d left her purse in the courtroom. She had no money to give him. Looking over his shoulder, she searched for an escape route or someone to call out to.

  “Look, I’ll go back and get my purse. It’ll just take a minute. You can come with me. All right?”

  He kept advancing.

  Brenny glanced behind her and saw that the alley was long and dark. There was nobody else in sight. Looking up, she didn’t see any windows along the walls of the buildings and no fire escapes. Her pulse thundered in her ears.

  Oh God, this can’t be happening.

  She turned and fled towards the other end of the ally. Terror enabled her to run a few steps in her three-inch heels. One of them snapped off, and she fell headfirst onto the pavement. She jumped up and turned around, terrified of what she would see.

  He was right behind her.

  “Stay away from—” Brenny screamed.

  The man leaned in and grabbed her shirt, cutting off her scream. He hauled her to her feet, swung her around, and smashed her up against one of the brick walls.

  “No—!” she started to scream, but again, the force of the impact cut it off.

  She realized that she was still holding the briefcase. Brenny swung it up and slammed it against her assailant’s shoulder. The impact didn’t seem to bother him. He grabbed the case with one hand, wrenched it out away from her, and threw it to the ground. His other hand released her shirt and slammed into her throat, lifting her higher off the ground. Brenny’s head snapped back onto the wall a second time.

  Bone cracked.

  He dragged her along the wall a few feet. Brenny felt the ragged brick slicing through her shirt and back.

  “No!” she choked, but opened her eyes to see what was happening. He had blond hair and a mustache. She had to remember the details for when she identified the son of a bitch.

  He paused.

  She rammed a knee into his crotch with all her might.

  He doubled over with a loud grunt and dropped her.

  Brenny fell to the ground and landed on her arm. Something snapped. Pain spasmed through her. Her vision blurred and darkened.

  He dropped on top of her, his knees digging into her ribs. It felt like a two-ton truck parked on top of her. She couldn’t breathe or move at all. Brenny struggled to no effect.

  Her attacker shifted his weight off of her. Brenny tried to cry out, but only a faint gargle came. She tasted bile.

  She forced her head up and strained to see what he was doing. A long knife came into view and moved towards her.

  Brenny bucked and kicked, but she couldn’t get away from it.

  Excruciating pain erupted in her chest.

  “Our Father, who art in heaven,” she whispered as all went dark.

  CHAPTER 3

  Sydney leaned over to get a closer look at the object that had fallen from the corpse’s hair. What on earth is that?

  Connors poked at it with a pair of tweezers. It looked like a couple of teeth. He picked it up and carefully held it half a foot off the ground so they could all see it. Dirty, greenish teeth on a wire.

  Mike dipped his head to sniff the teeth and recoiled immediately, looking disgusted.

  “No!” Connors and Sydney said at the same time.

  “Why would you do something like that?” Sydney was astounded, but she enjoyed the look on his face.

  “I have no idea and will be very careful not to do it again.”

  Connors pulled an evidence bag out of his jacket pocket and dropped the teeth inside.

  Suddenly, the voice of Madonna rang out.

  Holy crap!

  Sydney heard the words to “Holiday.” Hearing that bubbly song amidst the death scene was surreal. It came from the body.

  She quickly scanned the deceased and saw a telltale lump and a light coming from the lower right pocket of her pants. She glanced at the ME, who gave the go-ahead with a quick nod.

  Mike shoved a plastic glove at her. She put it on, pulled out the phone, and answered it.

  “Hello?” Visions of the previous week’s annual Zombie Walk came to mind.

  “Where are you?” a squeaky voice berated. “You said you wouldn’t be late again.”

  Sydney looked at Mike, her mind blank. He nodded encouragement. “With whom am I speaking, please?” she asked.

  Silence.

  “This is Detective Sydney Granger. Identify yourself, please.”

  “What are you doing with my mom’s phone?” The voice had risen half an octave and sounded alarmed.

  “I’m a friend of your mom’s. I’m coming to pick you up at school, but I lost the directions. Can you help me out?” She put her hand over the phone and asked Connors for the kid’s name.

  “Kevin,” he whispered.

  “Where’s my mom?” Kevin demanded.

  “She’s, ah, not here at the moment, but I’ll come get you and bring you to her. Where are you, Kevin?” Sydney added a little more authority to her voice.

  “I’m at school.” The voice sounded fainter by the minute.

  “Which school?” She’d never been good with kids, never knew what to do with them. She could deal with all sorts of nasty hardcore criminals, but kids made her nervous. They were so unpredictable.

  “I go to Deer Park.”

  “Okay, Kevin, I’ll be right there. Don’t go anywhere.”

  “Okay.”

  Sydney hung up. “Okay, who’s going to pick up the kid?” She looked at Mike, then Connors.

  “You go.” Connors nodded at Sydney.

  “Why, because I’m a woman? Because I’m supposed to somehow intuitively know how to handle a kid, to nurture and understand them? Well, I don’t. I have no idea, and I’m not sure I want to find out.”

  They both looked bewildered at her mini-tirade. Connors shrugged. “No, it’s ‘cause you were stupid enough to answer the phone.”

  “And now he’s expecting a chick to show up,” Mike added.

  Oh, Christ!

  She had walked right into that one. The guys high-fived each other.

  Shit.

  She pivoted and ran to her car.

  ***

  Thank goodness for the GPS app on her iPhone. It had saved her butt on numerous occasions. Sydney preferred the system on her phone to the one in her car. She plugged the name of the school into it; the map appeared within seconds. Three different sets of directions were offered: foot, car, or public transit. She put her finger on the car category and saw the quickest directions.

  Fifteen minutes later, Sydney pulled up in front of a massive stone school and saw a kid sitting on the worn front steps. He looked so small sitting there. A matronly woman in a gray suit sat with him.

  Sydney leaned out the window. “Kevin?”

  He turned his head slowly and looked at her, but didn’t make a move. The woman got up and came over.

  “Hello, I’m Detective Granger with the Toronto Police Service. I’m here to pick up Kevin.” Sydney leaned over and displayed her identification.

  “Is everything all right, detective?”

  “I’m sorry, ma’am. I can’t discuss it at the moment.”

  “Yes, of course.” The woman nodded, turned, and waved at Kevin, then went into the school.

  Kevin still sat on the steps. “Kevin, come on. I’m here to pick you up.
”

  He just stared at her.

  Yikes, what now? How did she get into these situations?

  Sydney leaned over, opened the passenger side door, and tapped her hand encouragingly on the seat. “Let’s go. I haven’t got all day,” she said in a sharper cop voice.

  He showed no immediate reaction, but eventually rose to his feet.

  Kevin put a hand on the rusty car door and leaned in. His sandy-colored hair was styled in the famous Justin Bieber ‘do, meaning his bangs hung halfway into his eyes, and he had to do that annoying head flip if he wanted to see something. He was very thin and wore faded jeans and a plain green tee shirt under a tan army jacket. His backpack appeared heavy as it dragged down one shoulder.

  “I would like to see some ID, please.” He flipped his hair.

  “Sure.” Sydney flashed her badge at him, and he reached for it.

  “Get in, and you can look at it all you want on the way, okay?” she said, pulling it back a few inches, just out of reach.

  He dropped his hand and looked at her with a bored expression, then slowly got into the car. He looked out the dirty side window.

  “Here, you don’t want to look at it?” Sydney dangled the badge in front of him. She thought all kids would be thrilled to hold a real police badge. She knew she would’ve at his age.

  “Nah, it’s okay,” he mumbled to his feet. He turned his head and looked at her with sad blue-gray eyes. He had incredibly long dark eyelashes.

  Sydney swallowed hard, then flicked on her turn signal, checked that all was clear, and eased into the road.

  “Is my mom dead?”

  Shit!

  Sydney felt his eyes on her face, studying her intently. They pulled up to a red light, and she turned to look at him.

  She saw an awareness and intelligence that she’d never come across in a child—not that she’d met that many. Knowing that he would somehow sense it if she lied, she came right out with it. “Yes. I’m sorry, Kevin.”

  Avoiding her eyes, he inspected a squashed bug stuck on the front window. “What happened?”

  “Let’s drive down to the police station, and I’ll tell you all about it, okay?”