Dead Man Code: A Jarvis Mann Detective Novel Read online

  “Description?”

  “European, I would guess. I couldn’t hear much. Once they left I went over to help Mitch up and get him away from the car. You could see he was hurting, though likely more about the car than the welt on his face. He really loved that car.”

  We stood around and talked some more, then one of the officers came over and started asking questions. Since I didn’t see what happened, I told them I couldn’t provide any information. But it was likely the same three whose tire I’d flattened earlier. I hung around until the commotion died down and everyone left. Mitch stayed at home, refusing to go to the hospital. I walked over to see if I could help.

  “So did you know the guys who did this?” I asked.

  “No.”

  “Any ideas on why?”

  “Maybe because I talked with you.”

  “Talked is an overstatement. You hardly said a word, other than about your car.”

  “Apparently I said enough.”

  “How did they know?”

  “Must have been watching.”

  I didn’t immediately spill the details of them following me after I left. I had failed to pick up the tail earlier. If I had, then who knows.

  “So did they mention me?”

  “Yes. They said if I talked with you again it would be worse. Threatened my wife and kid.”

  He pulled off the ice pack, and I could see the swelling and bruising skin. It would heal but would be sore for several days.

  “Sorry. Maybe I should leave.”

  “That might be best.”

  “What are you going to do?”

  “Take a vacation and leave town for a while. The wife and I are due for some R&R. And my son is away at summer camp for another week.”

  “Anything else you’d care to tell me?”

  “Watch your back. They will be paying you a visit.”

  “They already did and failed.”

  I held up my phone to show him the photos I took.

  “Yes, those are the men.”

  “Go get packed and I’ll hang around in case they come back. I don’t want you or anyone in your family hurt.”

  “If they show up, what will you do?”

  I opened my jacket to show him my Beretta.

  “Possibly shoot them. A just punishment for destroying a classic car.”

  Though it hurt to do so, Mitch grinned.

  Chapter 11

  Mitch’s wife showed up and gasped when she saw the Corvette. She seemed a little leery of me, even after Mitch told her who I was, giving her the details of what happened. They each quickly packed and drove away, as I made sure no one followed them. I felt better they were out of harm’s way, a little concerned I had fueled the confrontation. It appeared wherever I went these days I was a powder keg of trouble waiting to be ignited.

  I drove home to get my car, as it was getting late and I was scheduled to meet Bill at Boone’s. It was supposed to be earlier, but since I got hung up, I called him and he said we could meet after his dinner at home. It was around 7 p.m. when I arrived. Taking a seat at the bar, I ordered two beers and some ribs for my own nourishment. Bill showed up shortly after in street clothes, taking a stool next to me.

  “Thanks,” he said while sipping the beer. “My favorite brand.”

  “I know, anything with suds,” I joked.

  “So long as it’s cold. You look tired and smell of smoke.”

  “I was near a burning classic car.”

  He turned on his stool to look at me.

  “Hopefully not a Mustang,” Bill asked.

  “No, a Corvette. Cherry red, though now it’s burnt red. I was questioning a witness and someone didn’t like me talking with him. Forced him to leave town.”

  “Wow, you sure seem to get into pickles these days. A new case?”

  “Yes. Wife of the computer programmer shot and killed a couple months ago at WANN Systems over in the Tech Center.”

  “Sure, I remember that case. Ruled a robbery. I’m guessing someone doesn’t think so.”

  “The widow. She says he knew of something illegal going on in the company. No hard facts, but after today I’m starting to think she is right. The boys that torched the Corvette are the same ones in the picture I gave you to identify.”

  “Started the search before I left. Like I said, our system is pretty slow with facial recognition. When I get in tomorrow I’ll see if it found something and let you know.”

  Bill had been helping me for a few years now, providing information the police had easier access to than I did. He grumbled about it, but always came through. And I’d helped his college son out of a jam, which didn’t hurt either. He was probably the closest thing I had to a best friend. Of course, if I said this out loud he’d punch me.

  “So how are you holding up?” he asked.

  “As well as can be expected. The last few months have been tough. Trying to bury myself in work. Keeps my brain occupied.”

  “With all of Ray’s issues last year, I worked to get through the day. When you sit around with nothing to do, you dwell too much.”

  “Or drink,” I said, while ordering myself a second beer.

  “Don’t do too much of that. The bottom of a bottle is never the cure.”

  I knew this all too well. As too much drinking had led me down the infidelity road.

  “Three tonight is my limit.”

  “Hold him to it, will you, Nick?”

  Nick the bartender smiled, and nodded his head.

  “What game is on tonight?” asked Bill.

  “Yankees and Red Sox.”

  “Oh, boy.”

  “Yep, always good for ratings.”

  “But bad for those of us who can’t stand either team. Well, if there is nothing good on tonight, I’m going home to my wife. I’m assuming you will be able to get home safely.”

  “If I can’t, Nick will set up a cot for me in the back.”

  Nick turned and gave me the evil eye.

  “Or not!”

  “Well, thanks for the beer, Jarvis. I’d shake your hand, but it’s hard to say where it’s been after your comment this afternoon.”

  I nodded my head and smiled.

  “I washed my hands since then, I think…”

  “I’ll call you tomorrow with what the computer finds.”

  Now that Bill was gone I could concentrate on my ribs. They were meaty and falling off the bone. With a couple bones cleaned off I finished the second beer. My last one of the night hit the counter without delay, as Nick was always on top of things.

  As I ate a couple more bones, I thought over the last two days’ events. There appeared to be little doubt WANN Systems was covering up something. The circumstances of Aaron’s death certainly were looking fishy. Time to poke the stick some more and see what surfaced. The question was where to go from here. I needed to talk with some co-workers and friends, preferably those closest to him. I received a few names from Mandy, so that is where I’d start tomorrow. Looking up at the screen I gnawed off the meat on my last bone and wiped my face, when I felt a hand on my shoulder. It was April, who now occupied the seat next to me.

  “Missed a spot,” she said, while taking her finger and wiping sauce from my cheek, then tasting it.

  “Oh yes, you like the mild flavor,” she said. “You need a little spice in your life.”

  Maybe she was talking about something else, but I left it alone.

  “Heartburn would keep me up all night,” I replied. “Been difficult enough sleeping lately.” I looked her up and down. “You look nice tonight.”

  “Thanks for noticing.”

  April was no skinny, small thing. She had some meat on her, most of which was firm and strong. She was dressed in jeans and a baggy Rockies jersey, with black boots. She had grown her hair out and it was bleached out some because of the summer sun. With her boots on she stood a hair taller than me. She was tough, swore quite a bit, and was overt when speaking about pretty much any topic.

>   “Are you here alone?” I asked.

  “No. Some lady friends and I are going to sit around, drink and gossip.”

  “Sounds exciting.”

  “The fun part will be us fending off every advance from the loser testosterone crowd we seem to attract. And possibly eyeball a few hotties we’d care to get horizontal with, were the mood right.”

  “And where would I land?”

  “Hottie, for certain. I know my friend Jessica has been warm for your form since she laid eyes on you that night we first met here at Boone’s.”

  Smiling, I looked over and saw Jessica. She was wearing tight shorts and a lacy off-the-shoulder top that barely held her braless chest. She waved and I raised my glass to her.

  “Hard to believe she is ever lonely,” I stated.

  “Oh, she isn’t. She goes through men pretty quickly.”

  “So you still haven’t found Mister Right?”

  “Nope. But I aim to bop every able-bodied man I can find to narrow the field.”

  She turned on the stool, looking me straight in the eye.

  “Why don’t you come join us,” she said. “At the least you won’t be bored. At the most, who knows…? Jessica might take you for a ride you’ll not soon forget!”

  “Thanks, April, but no. I’m not up to it tonight. Been a long day and all has not gone well.”

  “I can smell the smoke on you. Care to explain?”

  I told her the story as she listened intently.

  “Hardly your fault.”

  “No. But it seems with each step I take these days, someone is always getting hurt. I know it is part of the business, but still…”

  “Shake it off and join us. No one will get hurt in our group.”

  “Maybe another time.”

  “You promise?”

  I crossed my heart.

  “I’m holding you to it. Take care, Jarvis.”

  She put her arm on my shoulder, hugging me from the side while squeezing my hand.

  I finished up my beer and paid my tab. I said goodnight to Nick and stepped out the door. My mind was still wandering, and I felt like taking a walk in the darkening night. The air was warm and dry, with a touch of breeze. The full moon lit up the street as I strolled down Evans. If I’d been more alert, I’d have noticed the man following me sooner. I turned around as I came to the curb, and recognized him as one of the men from earlier in the day. From behind I heard a vehicle hop the sidewalk and two doors slam. Three men surrounded me in a flash. I instinctively reached for my gun, not finding it there, since I didn’t bring it, and instantly knew I was in trouble.

  Chapter 12

  The three men had me cornered. I looked at each of them, trying to gauge a course of action. From what I could see of their faces they appeared to be related, since their facial features were similar. All were tall, about 6’ 2” and two hundred-plus of solid pounds. Each had a smile on their face of confidence, knowing they had me. I smiled back to mask my fear of what was about to happen. My options were limited.

  “Jarvis Mann,” said the one directly in front of me. “The man who cut the stem on our tire and left us stranded in the middle of the intersection, where we had to change it out with angry passengers in cars all around us.”

  “Gee, I hope you didn’t break a nail,” I quipped. “I know a good manicurist who would give you a fair price. File and buff them back to the beauty an enforcer would be proud of to beat people up with.”

  Humor often relieved my tension, but often didn’t endure me to my foes. The man in front of me stepped forward and took a swing. I tried raising my arm to block the punch, but was grabbed from behind, holding my arms down. The shot to the side of the head was jarring and I would have fallen if I hadn’t been held up. Though my knees did buckle. He stepped back and let my cobwebs fade. It was a good shot, and I let him know it once the ringing cleared from my noggin.

  “Good punch. Got all of your weight into it. You must have boxed at one time.”

  “I did. And you take a punch pretty well. I felt it all the way up my arm. Of course no one can take repeated punches, especially when the puncher’s knuckles have some help.”

  From his pocket he pulled out some brass knuckles and slid them over his right hand. It would be easier on his hand, but not my face and body. I’d needed to come up with something quick.

  “So, what are you wanting from me?’ I asked. “Maybe I can provide some answers without losing my teeth.”

  “Why were you talking to Mitchell Crabtree?”

  “He had a cool car I was checking out.”

  By his face I could see he didn’t buy it.

  “I was selling magazine subscriptions?”

  He smacked his brass-knuckled fist into his other hand.

  “Girl Scout cookies?”

  He was losing patience with my stalling.

  “Someone hired you to nose around in our business. Who was it?”

  “Hired me for what exactly?”

  “The killing of Aaron Bailey.”

  “You know I can’t tell you. In my business clients have the right to confidentiality.”

  “And you have the right, or maybe better yet, option, not to end up in the hospital with tubes handling your bodily functions. So I’ll ask you one more time. And if you refuse, I break a few ribs, we put you in the car and take you somewhere, and do even worse things to you.”

  The man behind me, holding my arms, was strong. I’d been slacking in the workout department recently and it was showing, as I couldn’t pull free. There were a couple of moves I knew I could use, but would it be enough? As I was about to act I heard the click of heeled boots coming our way. I glanced over my shoulder and saw April walking up the sidewalk. The third man in the group moved towards her, motioning her to stop.

  “Sweetie, please turn around and go the other way,” he said to her.

  April took two more steps, looking over the scene.

  “I’m not allowed to join the party, darling?” she said in sultry voice. “Looks like three strong men having their way with this handsome gentleman. Maybe I’d like to partake in the fun.”

  The third man looked over at the brass-knuckled brute and laughed.

  “If you care to join us, I’m sure we can have a good time with you after we’ve finished with Jarvis here.”

  “What did you have in mind?”

  He looked her up and down liking what he saw.

  “How about those sweet lips wrapped around my dick!”

  April shook her head, not bashful at all in her response, licking her lips.

  “Let me see what you’ve got. Need to make sure it measures up to my standards and will fit my mouth properly. And my mouth can handle a lot of erect manhood!”

  “Oh, it does for sure, honey…”

  He looked down to grab his zipper, when like a shot of lightning she kicked him square in the groin with her right boot. Down to the pavement he went in a grunt. The brass-knuckled man moved towards her but not quickly enough, as from her purse she pulled her handgun and pointed it straight at him. He froze in his tracks, as she was all business. With the distraction, I took my foot and stepped hard on the instep of the man holding me, and then used my elbow to smash him in the head. His yelp and cry of pain got him to release me, and I stepped over next to April, thankful for the assistance.

  “Those of you not already on the ground, get down now,” she said. “Face down and hands behind your head. Anyone moves will get shot.”

  “Who the hell are you?” said the leader of the group.

  “Your friendly neighborhood cop,” replied April. “Trying to keep the peace and help my friend. Please don’t make me have to ask you again.”

  He did not look happy, but did as he was told, waving for the one whom I gave the head shot to do the same.

  “Jarvis, call it in please.”

  I pulled my cell phone and dialed 911, giving April’s name and badge number, which I knew by heart. In about three minutes four
squad cars arrived, the flashing red lights circling the scene. Once there the officers frisked them, finding handguns on each, saps and, of course, the brass knuckles. None of them were carrying any ID. Paramedics arrived and provided ice for my face, but left the bruised-testicle man to his pain, knowing it would soon pass. After some time taking statements, the three men were hauled away and a tow truck called to impound their SUV. Once things started settling down I was able to speak with April.

  “Lucky you were coming outside,” I said. “You saved my butt. Though I was about to spring upon them a kick-ass move and wipe them out. This allows me to hold it in reserve for another time.”

  “I’m certain you had it handled, but you are welcome. How’s the eye?”

  I removed the ice pack to show her.

  “Nothing too serious. I’ve had worse. And would have if he had torn into me with those brass knuckles.”

  She put her hand up to touch the spot and I cringed some. Some Advil would be required to sleep.

  “So, were you following me?”

  April looked a little embarrassed, which was a first for her.

  “I saw you leave. Since you seemed a little down I wanted to make sure you were OK. I was coming out to confirm you were able to drive yourself home. I wasn’t sure how much you’d had to drink.”

  “Well, I definitely owe you big time.”

  “Yes. I expect more than a couple of beers and chicken wings at Boone’s as payback.”

  “What did you have in mind?’

  “A nice dinner out. Somewhere without loud TVs playing some silly game with macho millionaires running around on grass.”

  “The least I can do for my savior.”

  “I was hoping for the most you can do, but it’s a start.”

  I had to laugh and maybe blush, not that you could tell with the condition of my face. Even a macho man like myself found it kind of exciting having a woman step in and save my bacon. And the hint of playfulness in her tone warmed my downtrodden heart.

  Chapter 13

  The evening went to nearly midnight, as I spent time at the police station finishing up my statement. I offered to take April back to her car at Boone’s, but she needed to stay even later, for she had a great deal more paperwork to fill out and interviews to give, since she had pulled her gun and was off duty. There would be an investigation, and I would need to testify on her behalf. She likely wouldn’t be in trouble; it was just the normal red tape for an incident like this. I thanked her again, with new feelings for her, though I was uncertain what they were.