After the Evil – A Jake Roberts Novel (Book 1) (22 page)

Emily never knew what her mother had done. Instead,
she struggled silently with her own demons. She couldn’t bring
herself to talk about dad’s secret, the late night, and drunken
sexual assaults on her young mind and body. She was certain mom
knew. The hard part for Emily was trying to understand why her
mother let it continue to happen. As an adolescent girl growing
into womanhood, Emily found it impossible to have any normal loving
relationships because of him. She oscillated between the extremes
of the religious sisterhood, and being a whore. She chose the later
and the reputation she carried on her shoulders during her high
school years was unbearable.

It all became too much for her and Emily decided to
opt out. She left a letter describing how she felt about her
mother’s reluctance to stop “daddy” before she overdosed on her
sixteenth birthday. Emily’s death crushed Lori. To recover she
developed a ruthless determination to avenge her daughter’s death.
She decided to take the life of any man she encountered that played
the same controlling, sexual games. Each execution was carried out
with the same justification.

She found the process easy after she had murdered
her husband, but after multiple homicides, she knew she couldn’t
get them all. It had to stop. Told that Abrams was the consummate
professional and a trustworthy practitioner, Lori sought his advice
and counsel. In her wildest dreams, she never thought he would
disappoint her like he did.

Lori arranged the carrots around the meat, and
sprinkled salt and pepper over the entire tray. With one hand, she
opened the oven door. With the other, she placed the tray inside.
After closing the oven, she set the timer and smiled when the
thought of Jake Roberts surfaced. He seemed different from all of
the others. He was sincere, considerate and caring. She had no
doubt that his affections were genuine. She didn’t believe such a
man existed anymore, but there stood Jake. Lori was willing to try
one more time to find love, to be loved. She had to know that
someone could love her without inflicting pain and suffering.

Jake, please be that person.

Just as she finished the thought, the telephone rang
and startled her. Is would have been a perfect time for Jake to
call, but the airline was looking for Lori to cover another crew
member’s flight the following morning. Crew schedulers were
considered the enemy by flight crewmembers. They turned your life
upside down more than any microburst. Disappointment spread across
her face. She needed time alone with him.

“No, I’m sorry I just got in from another trip, and
unfortunately brought a sinus infection home with me, my head’s all
stuffed up. You know I would otherwise, sorry.” She sniffled a few
times to bolster her story.

They weren’t all cold-blooded. The crew scheduler
assured her that he understood completely and recommended some cold
medications that worked for him. He added that he hoped she would
be feeling better soon and said goodbye. As soon as she replaced
the receiver in the cradle, it rang again. She prepared to sniffle
some more, but the voice on the other end was a pleasant surprise,
a sweet sound to hear. Lori felt the butterfly fluttering in her
stomach, and noticed how quickly her mood was transformed into a
blissful state. There was no doubt she had strong feelings for
him.

“Hi, Jake, I saw you on the news.”

“I wish there was some other reason for me to be in
the news.”

I want her to know that I’m more than just a cop,
one-dimensional, but I’m just happy to know she’s thinking about
me.

“I’m sorry.”

“For what?” she says.

“For not calling sooner, for being
preoccupied––”

She cut me off in mid-sentence.

“I’m just glad to hear from you, I understand, I
really do understand.”

Lori has a way of staying ahead of me.

“Really?”

“Yes, I do. I hope you understand when I have to
fly. It’s not easy being in a relationship with a flight attendant.
I leave town for several days, travel all around the country, and
fly back at odd times to get home. I hope that’s not too hard on
you.”

“Waiting for you is like waiting for Christmas, Any
chance I can see you tonight?”

I can’t see her smile, the small bite of her lip, or
the tilt of her head.

“I’m in the kitchen right now preparing dinner, and
there’s enough food here for a quiet dinner at home for two.”

“Half an hour?”

“Give me an hour, because I want to look my best for
you.”

The thought of a quiet, romantic evening alone with
Lori reenergizes me. I renegotiate.

“Forty-five minutes.”

“I’ll be ready,” she says.

I search for a better shirt and check my face in the
mirror for a possible quick shave. My pulse noticeably elevates.
Tonight is the night. My passion kicks in. I want to be primal and
free, I want to be a man. I don’t want to think about the scum I
deal with, about the girl, or Gates. I just want to be with her and
not ruminate about the consequences.

If I use the lightbar, I can run all the lights.

* * *

Harmon grew up on the meanest streets, and was
considered a traitor to his race when he joined the police
department. He knew who the bad guys from the neighborhood were,
and they believed he would use that information to persecute them.
While he was street smart, Harmon Blackwell was also book smart, a
man who played down his significant intellect. Ed once told me,
“Brilliant is born; educated is grown.” Harmon was brilliant.

As he walked back into his new office, Harmon was
exhausted after giving what felt like his thousandth briefing to
the news people. They could drain your blood faster than an open
carotid artery. All he wanted was a peaceful break in the action.
The door to his office closed loudly enough to signal to everyone
it was break time––Do Not Disturb. He dragged his chair out and
collapsed into it. Opening the top drawer of his desk, he retrieved
a Scientific American magazine he had stored there. After adjusting
his glasses, Harmon began reading hoping to finish the article he
started days earlier.

The article described how the silicon chip currently
used in computers performed its magic at two billion times per
second by using fifty-five million transistors. However, in the
span of a few years, mankind could reasonably expect computers to
be developed that used single-molecule, DNA strands, or
quantum-effect chips to perform godzillions of computations at
light speed. He read another article about Biomed implants,
microscopic nano-computers, injected into the body, that will seek
out disease, and eliminate it effectively bringing an end to all
invasive surgical procedures.”

Harmon leaned back in his chair.

Incredible.

It was going to be Harmon’s last chance to take a
break. His head jerked up when he heard a knock on the door. He
couldn’t believe someone was dumb enough to interrupt him. To his
surprise, the door opened. Mika walked in. Since leaving the bar,
she had found time to walk and think. It happened. Trauma made your
feet move. You couldn’t sit still. You thought movement alone would
somehow help you to lose the sunken ship feeling. Harmon noticed
the distant look on her face, and the enormous amount of compassion
he had inside of his massive body rose to the surface. If it was
anyone else besides Mika who had interrupted his down time, they
would be pulling their head out of their behind with both hands. He
asked if she was okay.

“Yeah, yeah...just been walking, thinking.”

“You’re not still debating the shoot are you? It was
a clean shoot, justified.’

He waited. Without raising her eyes to look at him,
she nodded.

“I know.”

She began to pace.

“What’s wrong? Come on Mika, we’ve been friends for
a long time, let it out.”

“That’s not it, Harmon. It’s what Jake said tonight.
It doesn’t add up, but I can’t seem to figure out why.”

She collapsed into a chair and stared off into
space.

“It all points to Gates, he confessed, but for some
strange reason, it bites at me that he wasn’t the one I was looking
for.”

“Mika, Gates is dead, the case is closed. The public
hysteria is over. You did a great job. We should be rejoicing and
not analyzing.”

He walked over and placed a hand on her narrow
shoulder.

“Personally, I hope I never hear the name Michael
Gates again.”

She looked up with her two beautiful Asian eyes and
a pouting face.

“I guess you’re right, maybe because of the shoot
I’m... I should get some sleep.”

“I’ll drive you. Where’s that hotel you’re staying
at?”

“I don’t want to sit in that awful hotel room
alone.”

Mika glanced up at him like a child seeking a
parent’s approval.

“Would you drop me off at Jake’s?”

* * *

As she hustled around her bedroom, Lori recalled her
early morning visit with her daughter. The visit was different from
all the others, because she wanted to reveal to Emily her thoughts
and feelings about a relationship with Jake.

Where have you been, mommy? You know how I look
forward to your visits.

“I know sweetheart, and I’m sorry. Time seems to be
moving much faster these days.”

Emily’s tone turned accusatory, angry.

It’s because of him, isn’t it?

Lori looked away from her daughter’s headstone where
the girl’s voice always emanated from. She pondered the question
for a moment and sighed.

“Emily, I really like him.”

Waiting for Emily’s answer and approval, Lori
fidgeted with the leaves that had fallen on the grave.

“He’s different, gentle and thoughtful. He makes me
feel happy again.”

She looked back at the headstone, but her daughter’s
reply never came. The silence ended when the taunting voice
spoke.

Another mistake, Lori. Didn’t you learn anything
from all the others? Men are not to be trusted, or loved.

She didn’t want to hear it again, and her daydream
came to an abrupt halt. She looked around the bedroom to regain her
bearings. Sitting on the edge of the bed, she decided to make it
work with Jake.

* * *

What a rush, I feel like a teenager on a first date.
As I walk up the front steps, I feel I’m home. The muted exterior
colors against the lush foliage suggest peace and happiness. I try
to imagine what it would be like to come here every night, to
Lori’s house in this quaint, picket-fenced neighborhood. It would
be a gift to fall into her arms after a long day. As I reach the
front door, I’m amazed at how pumped I am. Life seems to be
starting all over again. After I press the doorbell, the front door
opens and Lori appears in a clinging, black, mid-thigh dress.
Neither of us speak, we embrace and kiss. My hands roam over her
shoulders and lower back. Her hands lock behind my neck.

The kiss lasts for more than the measure of a minute
signaling that the evening will be memorable. Pleasurable thoughts
swirl around inside my head. As our lips separate, she gently
strokes my face.

“I’ve missed you, but I didn’t know how much until
now,” she says.

She grasps my hands and pulls me inside. Any
hesitation I may have had about falling in love with her ends here.
All I have to do is keep my animal instincts in check. I need a
distraction. During my official visit to her home, I noticed that
the interior of the house was a complete reflection of Lori Powers.
If it was millennium chick then it was in here. While Lori watches
me pulling surveillance, I notice something is missing.

“No television?”

“Jake Roberts, you came here to watch
television?”

“No, I’m just curious. That’s a great stereo system
over there, an incredible CD collection, real paintings and
expensive furnishings. I just don’t see a television.”

I throw my arms around her waist and pull her
close.

“Which makes sense the more I think about it. Who
needs television when you’re in the room?”

The second kiss is followed by several more. The
chemistry is powerful, pure peace and serenity. Lori looks into my
eyes. She is breathtaking in the soft glow of the living room
lights.

“Got in late last night?”

“Yes, didn’t you get my message? I left one on your
machine. I did an all-nighter from San Francisco, a red eye. I’m
actually glad you didn’t see me. I looked a mess.”

You are the one.

“Somehow, I can’t imagine you ever being a
mess.”

I don’t want to let go of her. After the past few
days, I desperately need to hold on to something, or someone, I can
believe in, someone who’s real.

“Could we just stay this way for awhile? It’s been a
real bad day.”

Her scent draws me in. My heart is exposed and I
want her love to embrace it.

“Roger, you’re cleared for the approach, over.” she
says.

The tease was provocative. Another kiss follows. She
leans back and studies my eyes with concern.

“A bad day?”

Her interest in my life always surprises me. Most
people hate cops, but she is at ease with me, supportive. I feel my
facial muscles tense as I look up at the ceiling. My job revolves
around murder. I can’t discuss that abyss with her.

“It’s all right, Jake, I can take it. I want you to
know I’m here for you. If you’re hurting then so am I.”

Her offer of support props me up and her eyes say
it’ll be all right. This case is more spectacular than most, so
maybe I can. I decide to take the chance, this time.

“Captain Edward Fairchild, my friend, was the last
victim of the killer we’ve been searching for. He was lured out by
this guy, Michael Gates.”

While she listens, I let go of her and move around
the room, pacing help. Lori sits down on her sofa and leans forward
with her hands clasped together.