J. A. Konrath - Cherry Bomb (Jacqueline Jack Daniels Mysteries)

AT MY FIANCS FUNERAL I got a phone call from

MILES AWAY, Alexandra Kork sits in a coffee store chain,

TURNING LATHAMS FUNERAL into a crime scene didnt endear me

THE MANS WRINKLES are caked with filth, and the layers

I WANTED TO GET GOOD AND DRUNK, but Id been

AN ASTHMATIC BLOWS HARDER than the complimentary hair dryer in

I CABBED IT from the Crime Lab, heading for the

STUN GUNS WORK on two levels. The first is through

STOP THE CAB.

ALEX HAS THE CAR RADIO cranked to the max, singing

I WAS WONDERING when youd call, Jackie. Did you buy

THE JORDAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY, located only a mile from the

YOU SHOULD TURN THE PHONE IN, Jack.

ALEX SITS IN A BOOKSTORE CAF, dressed in her funeral

PHIN WORE JEANS and a white T-shirt, an outfit Id

ALEX CANT SLEEP.

SO FAR, Herbs voice was tired, frustrated, not a single

THE HONDAS SPEEDOMETER is up over ninety mph, and has

THE CRIMEBAGO ACCELERATED with the speed and grace of a

ALEX PUSHES THE PATROL CAR up past 120, sirens screaming

SOME URBAN LEGENDS are too good to be false. Theres

ALEX CALLS ALANS ROOM from the house phone in the

SCOTT HAJEKS EYES bugged out when he saw me, and

GOOD CALL ON THE FISH, CYNTHIA. The prime rib was

THE PHONE WOKE ME UP. In the darkness of the

ALEX DREAMS.

I GOT NOTHING, SIS.

ALEX WAKES to the ringing of the hotel phone and

HOWS OUR TIME? Phin asked.

LUCKY BITCH.

I FELT LATHAMS ARM slip around my waist and I

ALAN ISNT A BAD-LOOKING GUY. Not as muscular as Lance,

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE to get donuts?

ALEX CLIMBS OFF THE BED. Naked. Satisfied. Bloody.

PHIN AND I STARED AT EACH OTHER for a little

THE COP UNIFORM has gone from asset to liability. Showing

SQUEEZE IT, I told Phin. But be soft and gentle

ALEX HEADS EAST, wondering if shell pass Jack on the

AS SOON AS I GOT off the phone with Alex

NOW THAT WAS GREAT. The only thing missing was sound.

JACK! PUT ON YOUR DAMN SEAT BELT!

OH MY GOD! Samantha squeals. Those boots are to die

AFTER THREE HOURS of sitting next to a cornfield, hiding

ALEX HAS THE WINDOW CRANKED DOWNa temporary solution for the

NO PHOTO THIS TIME. But the first text message was

ANOTHER DRIVE, BUT SHORTER THIS TIME.

BY THE TIME I found a room for the night

THE MORNING AND EARLY AFTERNOON are going to be uneventful.

IT WAS ALL I COULD DO not to tear out

PERFECT. ABSOLUTELY PERFECT. The male stripper Laugh-O-Gram showed up with

THE FEEBIES ARRESTED ME AT THE HOSPITAL.

ALEX YAWNS, STRETCHES, AND OPENS HER EYES. The hotel room

I STEPPED ONTO VAN BUREN, walking out of the Metropolitan

HEY! NORMA BATES! Youre the one who needs to cover

ITS AN ABANDONED LOT, Alex said. On Old Higgins Road,

I OPENED MY EYES, stared up at empty sky.

IM READY TO SAY GOODBYE.

NOT PERFECT, but not bad.

IT ISNT MURDER. Like my dad said, killing a rabid

I WAS SWEEPING UP my wreck of a housesomething Id

A T MY FIANCS FUNERAL I got a phone call from the woman who killed him.

I checked the Weather Channel. Her tone was conversational, cheery. Its raining in Chicago. Thats appropriate, dont you think? Funerals on sunny days seem so wrong.

The pastor hit the switch, and the mechanical winch lowered Lathams casket into the ground on black canvas straps. Slow, like it was sinking into a swamp. The rain beaded up on the lacquered oak lid and I had an irrational urge to find a towel, wipe it dry. Latham didnt deserve to spend eternity wet.

Im coming after you, I whispered into the phone.

Thats what he said. Before I shot him. He said youd come after me. Latham had faith in you until the very end, Jack. Like a puppy dog. Poor guy. Murdered, just for loving the wrong woman.

My partner, Sergeant Herb Benedict, had been staring at me since the phone rang. Herbs black suit was purchased back when he weighed less, the tightness making his large stomach seem even larger. His free handthe one that wasnt holding the crutchreached up and touched my shoulder.

Alex? he mouthed.

I nodded.

Is this your grand plan, Alex? Calling me to make me feel guilty?

I dont need to make you feel guilty, Jack. Youre already guilty. Latham was a good man. I would have preferred shooting you in the head, but our game isnt over yet. Later today Im sending you a picture over the phone. Twelve hours from then, the man in the picture will die. Unless you can find him and save him. I hope, for his sake, you do a better job than you did with your fianc.

I gripped the cell phone so hard my hand was shaking. Lathams casket dropped below ground level, and the tears on my face mingled with the rain. I managed to keep my voice even.

And what if I dont want to play your game?

The man Im going to kill has a wife and kids. Leading the kind of life that you might have led, if you werent burying your future. If you dont make an effort to save him, the next picture I send you will be of a playground filled with children. How much more guilt can you handle before you crumble and blow away?

I wiped my cheeks, then turned away from the grave. Lathams family stared hard at me. No pity in their eyes. Only disdain.

Dont cry. And if I may be blunt, dont you think that skirt youre wearing is a little short? Not very appropriate, unless youre cruising the funeral for a rebound fuck.

I glanced down at my knee-length dress, then did a quick 360.

Careful, Jack. Youre spinning so fast you may knock your fat partner off his crutch.

I covered the phone and faced Herb. Shes here.

Herb hit his lapel mike, turning on his radio and calling for a perimeter sweep. There were more than fifty cops at the funeral. As they scattered I dug my. 38 Colt out of my Gucci handbag and walked away from the grave site, scanning tombstones and monuments, heels sinking into the wet sod, worming my way through Lathams family while they shamed me with hateful glares.

You brought a gun to a funeral, Jack? Alex asked. Were you expecting me to show up?

I was hoping.

The October wind kicked up, blowing dead leaves and cold air across my scalp, making my stitches sting. Twenty-plus years of on the job training made me keep low, a smaller target. Not that it mattered. Alex was a crack shot.

Turn left, Alex said, another few yards, next to the mausoleum. Theres an angel watching over you.

I followed instructions, feeling like I had a bulls-eye on my forehead, and not minding much. I ran my eyes along the slanting granite roof of the stone structure, and noticed the statue of a cherub perched on top. Something was duct-taped to his hand. I moved in closer, gun arm extended, and saw it was a camera phone.

Twelve hours, Jack. Then he dies. And keep your cell on. Never know when I might call with a hint. Dont fail him like you failed Latham.