Key West Gone into the Night Elizabeth Hilleren (if you give a mouse a cookie read aloud txt) 📖

“I need more information on the body found on Government Road this morning.”

“I’ve told you everything I have to release at this point.”

“The scanner says that there’s a lot of police cars at the Sands Inn Motel this afternoon.  What’s happening?”

“This has become a sensitive case. We have identified the woman but her next of kin have not yet been notified.  I’ll let you know when that happens.”

“I’ll hold you to that.”

“Of course you will. Check out the mayor’s daughter’s wedding.”

“A wedding? Yeah, I’ll do that when I see you checking parking meters.”

“I’ll be in touch.” Sharkey hung up.

“Damn. All right, Sharkey, be that way.” She said to the handset before she slammed it down. She shoved away from the phone and rolled back to the computer and looked at Connor.  “He can be an unpleasant guy.” It wasn’t a full snarl on her face, but close to it. “Can you believe he hung up on me?”

“Come on, get that drivel to Barney and let’s go,” Connor said softly. He headed for the door and she hit the send key and followed.

“Get in the car. Try to relax.”

She grumbled but did as he asked.

“Where are we going?”

“You’ll see.” He pulled out into traffic and headed for Eaton Street.  Pulling into a driveway he stopped and got out.

“Who lives here?”

“That depends on if you like it.”

“What?”

“Here.” He handed her a key to the house. It had lush foliage surrounding it and a white picket fence.

Mckenzie looked stunned but she walked through the gate and up to the front door and opened it.  There was a large open living room, with a loft. She threw a look at Connor, who just said, “Take a look around.”

“It’s homey.” She walked through the house. Connor followed, opening doors as he went. “Kitchen, guest room, bath, extra bedroom, miscellaneous rooms.”

He finally stopped her. “This is the master bedroom,” he swung the door open and she took a sharp intake of breath. It was furnished with a king-size bed, dressers, plants.  The large window curtain was pulled shut.

“What’s behind this?”

“Pull it open.”

It opened on to a patio and a pool.

She walked out and along the side of the medium-sized pool.

“That’s the pool house and the hot tub,” he said.

“Okay, what’s the deal?”

“If you like it, it’s ours.”

“No…really.”

“Na, I’m just kidding,” Connor said giving her his poker face.

“You never kid,” she said seriously.

“You’re right. I traded it for my condo in Jamaica. Now I just need someone to live here with me and make this house a home.  It’s modest, but with some work I can make it livable for the long term.”

She ran towards him and flew into his arms. “Yes. I love it.”

He laughed and twirled her around in a circle.  She looked into his eyes. “I love you,” she said, kissing him.

He smiled. “I love you, too. I’ve never told anyone that before, except my mother.”

“I believe you. When can we move?”

“Today. The legal stuff has been done.  Sharkey isn’t going to call you today and your story has gone to print, well, posted to the internet.”

“Show me through the house again.”

“Okay. We have all night.”

*    *    *

Back at the station, Sharkey and Harris discussed the possibility of a ransom situation.

“We need to find out who the rest of the family is. She’s not wearing a ring and she has a boy and a Hispanic baby with a different name. We’re looking at two fathers.”

“That’s all fine and dandy, but if we’re looking at a kidnapping, who the hell gets the ransom call?” Harris asked. “Unless they’re putting the heat on Trujillo. But where the hell is he?”

“Maybe this isn’t kidnapping but an abduction.  He killed her and has both kids. We need to find him.  Let’s get everything on Susan Abbott,” Sharkey said. “She had a rental car, so she has a driver’s license and an address.”

Officer Debbie Anderson came in with several papers. “Susan Abbott and Carl Abbott are separated.  Just came through. About 18 months ago. No address for him yet. I’ll run his name for arrests, warrants and a driver’s license.”

She returned to the office a few minutes later. “I got it. Carl Abbott, last address was Miami, Florida.” There were more keyboard clicks.  “Got a phone number.”

“I’ll call him,” said Sharkey.

The call rang through. “This is Detective David Sharkey, Key West Police Department. I am trying to reach Mr. Abbott.”

“Yeah? Ah, how can I help you?” His voice sounded skeptical. “You for real?”

“Yes, sir, we are. We’re trying to reach the husband of Susan Abbott.”

“I’m her husband but we’ve been separated for a year and half. Her number…”

“I don’t need her number. I’m calling to inform you that her body was found this morning in Key West.”

“Her body?  No, that can’t be… I’ll call her…”

“We have identified her from her driver’s license and it’s a match to your wife. We would like you to make a positive identification. I’m deeply sorry.”

“Where’s my kid?”

“We were hoping they were with you. I take it you haven’t heard from anyone demanding money.”

“Money? No. That would be a dead end.  What was she doing in Key West?”

“We don’t know.  We were hoping you could help us with that too.”

“I’m sorry…I feel sick…”

“Take a deep breath, sir and sit down.”

Sharkey heard several long inhales of breath.  “Okay, what do I do now? Ah, her mother…I’ll need to call…no, go see her… She lives here in Miami. What do I say? She’s not going to take this well.”  His voice broke and it sounded like he was starting to cry.

“Mr. Abbott, if you want me to,