The Season of Sin (Peace In The Storm Publishing Presents) (2 page)

“I don’t know anything about all that.” Brianna raised her hand.  “I just know she didn’t like him.”

“Wonder if it went both ways,” Jayce said. “Either way it’s a little something to go on. I’m gonna check to see if McNamara has a record when I get back to the station.”

“I wanna see the bathroom.”

“Oh no, Bree.” Jayce held her to the couch. “I couldn’t forgive myself if I let you do that.”

“I wanna see it.” She stood.  “I want to see what happened.”

He put his hand on her shoulder.  “What you need to do is go to the hospital, get checked out and rest.”

“I don’t need to go to the damn hospital! I can take care of myself! I only care about finding out who killed Nadia.” She fixed the bottom of her turtleneck. “We at least know where to start looking.”

“We?” Jayce shook his head.

Another officer laid boxes in the room.

“This is my case, Bree. You and Steven stay out of it. Besides this is homicide, my turf.”

“What’s with these boxes?” She looked through one filled with books, files and CD’s.

“I told them to gather up some of Nadia’s things and we’re gonna look through them to see if we can get any answers. She had all these files and things.”

“Course she was a psychiatrist, Jayce. Part of her job is research.”

“Or maybe she’s some collector,” Steven said. “Look at all these old newspapers and clippings of famous events. Like decades of history before our eyes.”

Brianna read a clipping. “Nadia loved newspapers. She said they captured memories. She liked to smell the paper you know?  She said it signaled nostalgia.”

Jayce stood behind her. “We found some fascinating things in her bedroom too. She has these chests full of stuff but some of them need a key to get into.”

“Let’s see what this is.” Steven thumbed through a thick, college-ruled notebook.

Brianna peeked over his shoulder. “What’s that?”

“A journal or something she wrote in.”

“Jesus.” Brianna leaned in the box. “Look at all these notebooks.  Just stacks and stacks of ‘em.”

“They’ll come in handy.” Jayce took the journals from them. “If Nadia wrote in these regularly there might be clues.” He put them back in the box.  “At least we’ll know more about her.”

“She was hurting but you wouldn’t know it by being with her.” Brianna smiled. “She kept a smile on her face even when she was suffering.”

“Wonder why she trusted you so much?” Steven pushed a box out of his way.  “You haven’t known each other that long.”

“I don’t know. Sometimes you bond with people over things that only they can understand I guess. She always said she was comfortable with me. Maybe it’s because I wasn’t apart of her family.” Brianna looked through another box.  “I don’t know.”

“What about Nadia’s family?” Jayce dug through a box.

“Her parents are dead. She has three sisters and two brothers. The brothers don’t live in Albany but the sisters do. She’s very close to Jasmine, her older sister.  She hasn’t spoken to her brothers in some years.”

“Do they all get along?” Jayce watched her out of the corner of his eye.

“She didn’t tell me
all
her business.”

Steven read clippings.  “For someone who didn’t tell you “all her business”, she sure told you enough didn’t she?”

“We talked about normal things okay? You act like I’m hiding something that Nadia might have told me.”

“I didn’t say that I just think she might have told you something important, that at the time you didn’t
think
was important. Get it?”

“No.” She wobbled. “Ooh. Oh, my head’s pounding.”

“That’s it.” Steven put his arms around her. “You’re going to the hospital.”

“I don’t need a damn hospital.”

“No, Steve’s right.  We’ll talk more about this when you’re feeling better.”

“Jayce I want in on this.”

“No.”

“If you think I’m gonna just sit back until you spoon feed me answers then you don’t know me as well as you think.”

“Are you forgetting that your life is in danger too?  The person who killed Nadia might come after you too.”

“They know I didn’t see them.  Even if they did I don’t care.”

“Sttttuuuuubbbbooorrrrnnn.” Steven sang.

“Shut up, Steve. I knew Nadia and you didn’t, Jayce. You need me whether you like it or not. Steve and I can help you out. Certainly you wouldn’t turn down help right?”

Steven opened a box of camera film. “Jayce is right. We should stay the hell out of it. You forget we have cases of our own right now anyway?”

“Do I look like I give a shit right now, Steve?”

“All these years I’ve known you Bree and I still can’t understand what goes on in your head sometimes.”

Steven tossed the film in a box. “Me neither.”

An officer walked in. “Detective Matthews we need you for a sec, sir.”

“I’ll be right there.” He turned to Brianna. “I’m just trying to protect you.”

“I don’t need your protection.”

“Don’t argue with her dude okay?” Steven searched another box. “It’s better that way.”

Jayce poked Brianna’s chest. “Just remember I call the shots. You jeopardize this case and you’ll regret it.”

“I wouldn’t do that. I just wanna help. I won’t be a pain in your ass.”

“Too late.” He stomped out the room.

“I think you pissed him off.” Steven put his wool cap on.

“I don’t care. I’m gonna find out what happened whether you both agree or not.”

“Come on.  I’ll drive you to the hospital. We’ll tell one of the officers to get your car.”

She got her coat. “I don’t need a doctor, I need an
Advil.”

“Just come on. We’re through with this discussion.”

Brianna cut her eyes to the officers in the hall. She waited until they left then signaled to the box of journals. 

“Steve?”

“Huh?”

“Wait.”

“What? Come on. You know it’ll take forever at the hospital.”

“Get the box.”

“What?”

“We’re gonna take the journals.”

“Are you nuts? I’m not touching that box. You wanna steal evidence then do it by yourself.”

“It’s a box of journals not the murder weapon. Might not be anything useful in them anyway.”

“Then why the hell do you want ‘em?”

“Just do what I say.”

“I’m not taking those journals, Bree. And how will you explain them being gone?”

“Look at all the boxes over here. Jayce won’t remember this one’s gone.”

“Yeah right.” He scratched his nose.

“Steven I never ask anything of you but I’m asking you to help me now, please.”

“Shit.” He picked up the box. “You better be glad I’m still in love with you.”

She kissed his cheek.

CHAPTER THREE

“Just stop it, Aunt Jas!” Dylan stomped across Jasmine Hudson’s upstairs hallway Monday morning.

“No I won’t stop it!” Jasmine walked so close to Dylan she almost tripped her.

“Get out of my way!”

“Who do you think you’re talking to?” Jasmine waved a tissue. “You just don’t wanna face facts.”

“No I can face facts.” Dylan bumped into Jasmine when she turned around.  “I face the fact that you’re completely nuts!”

“Am I? Because I speak the truth?”

“No because you are just so determined to keep the feud going with Bruce that you won’t see reason!” Dylan ran downstairs.

Jasmine chased her. “Get back here young lady!”

“I don’t wanna hear it! I cannot believe that you can’t be sensitive to what I’m going through. My mother was just murdered!”

“And she was my sister! I loved Nadia and I love you!  I’ve always loved you like you were my own!”

“You coddle me just like Mom did. The point is you are dead wrong about Bruce. How dare you try to suggest he’s a killer?”

“Oh did I only suggest?” Jasmine flung grayish-brown strands out of her eyes. “I’m saying it straight out.  Yes, I think Bruce did it. So there.”

“You stop it! That’s a horrible thing to say!  Bruce would never kill anyone!”

“Oh yeah?  He’s a criminal.”

“He
was
a criminal. He’s paid for his mistakes.”

“He could never pay enough in my opinion.” Jasmine straightened books on her bookshelf.

“I wasn’t even seeing Bruce when he got in trouble anyway. You’re no one to judge, Aunt Jas. You never done nothing wrong?”

“Yes but I never murdered anybody.”

“And Bruce didn’t either.”

“You know damn well he hated her enough to do it. Use your brain Dylan, that’s what it’s for.”

Dylan held her waist and threw her chin into the air. “Bruce couldn’t have done it because he’s been out of town.”

“You don’t talk to Bruce anymore or so you claim. How the hell would you know where he’s been?”

“His father died and he went out of town to see his family. Rhonda told me.”

“Oh yeah?” Jasmine bent over to straighten another shelf. “I still think he did it and that’s exactly what I’m gonna tell Detective Morris when she gets here.”

“Oh no you’re not.  I don’t even want you in the room when she comes.”

“Well tough it’s my house!”

“Stop it you two!” Zoë Peron came from the living room.  “You two have been arguing all morning!  How can you act like this after what’s happened?”

They glanced at the gorgeous black woman but muttered instead of spoke.

Zoë stood between them.  “You’re family! You shouldn’t be fighting right now but consoling each other.  Detective Morris is going to be here any minute. You want her to see you two fighting like you got no common sense?”

“Aunt Jas I wish everyone would stop blaming Bruce for everything. That’s all I ask.”

“Well I’m sorry. Nothing you can tell me will ever convince me Bruce’s changed.”

Zoë turned from one to the other. “Wait how did this get about Bruce?”

“She thinks Bruce killed Mom.”

“What?”

“Now isn’t that the dumbest thing you ever heard, Zoë?”

“But doesn’t it make sense too?” Jasmine pulled Zoë close. “We all know that Bruce hated Nadia and he’s a very violent man.”

“That doesn’t make him a killer.”

“He’s even said he wanted her dead! Why don’t you wake up?”

“He didn’t mean it like that, Aunt Jas. Stop twisting things!”

“You keep on with that smart mouth and that’s not the only thing I’ll be twisting.”

“Hold it!  Hold it!” Zoë held Jasmine back. “Jas you got no cause to throw around accusations like that.”

“I…”

“Thank you!” Dylan snapped her fingers.

“Come on, Zoë. You know Bruce could’ve done it.”

“Leave me out of this. I’m not going to accuse an innocent man of murder.”

“Innocent?” Jasmine guffawed.  “Bruce and innocent are two words that never belong in the same sentence.”

Ding!  Dong!

Jasmine gestured. “Would you please get that, Zoë?”

She went to the door.

“Aunt Jas please cool it.”

“No. If I feel there is anything the police should know, I’m gonna tell them. This is about your mother and not Bruce McNamara.  Where the hell is your loyalty, Dylan?”

“I was just gonna ask
you
the same thing.”

“Hello, I’m Zoë Peron.”

Steven’s mind went blank when he saw the gorgeous black lady at the door.

Brianna held out her hand. “Hello. Uh, I’m Detective Morris.  This is…”

Zoë took Brianna’s hand. “Yes I know who you are, Detective. Dylan’s told me all about you.”

Her eyes landed on Steven. He tightened in a rigid stance. His mind void of any thought except how this woman looked naked.

“You’re Detective Kemp right?” Zoë put her hand out.

“Huh?”

“Steven.” Brianna nudged him.

“Oh yes. Uh I’m Detective Steven Kemp.” He shook her soft hand. “It’s nice to meet you.”

“You too.”

His face ran hot.

“How are you connected to Jasmine and Dylan again?”

“Oh I’m Dylan’s best friend. You two sure look young to be detectives.”

Brianna smiled.

It wasn’t everyday Steven saw a woman that looked like this. Sharp exotic features complimented her dark mahogany tone. She radiated, boasting a chic style that hypnotized.

Dylan walked through the front hallway. “You’re crazy, Aunt Jas! Nuts, nuts, nuts!”

 “Me?” Jasmine waved fists. “Young lady, you could write a book on crazy!”

Steven stood on his tiptoes. “Let me guess, bad time?”

Zoë rocked with her hands on her hips. “It’s always like this when these two get together.”

Brianna peeked around Zoë. “Why are they fighting?”

Zoë batted her thick lashes. “Same reason they always are. Dylan wants to run her own life and her family won’t let her.  They’ve been arguing like this since I got into town.”

“Where are you from?” Sweat streamed down the back of Steven’s neck.

Brianna glanced at him then back to Zoë.

“I live in NYC. I come down from time to time to spend time with Dylan.”

“I think that’s very considerate for you to help Dylan during this awful time.”

“
Do
you?” Brianna whispered.

“Yes well she needs me. Anyone who really cared would do the same.”

“May we come in?”

“Oh.” Zoë felt her forehead.  “I’m sorry, Detective Morris. Come on in. You can put your coats there.” She pointed to the rack behind the door.

Brianna unbuttoned hers. “No thanks we won’t be staying that long.”

Zoë called for Dylan and Jasmine.  Those skintight leather pants and turtleneck highlighted her fascinating physique. Her long brown hair fell down her back in a sleek ponytail that stopped at her luscious butt. That retro-style makeup illuminated her glamorous features. While other women got out of bed in the mornings she got off magazine covers.

Steven bumped into Brianna.

“Watch it.”

“Sorry.” He moved back.

She fixed her coat. “Maybe if your eyes weren’t connected to Zoë’s ass, you’d know where you were going.” 

“What? That’s ridiculous.”  He pointed to the floor. “I tripped on that tile that’s coming up.”

“Right. Then why are you staring at her ass?”

“And why are you being such a bitch, Bree?”

“You think this is something I haven’t shown you nothing yet.”