A Cold Day in Hell Read online

  She turned and walked out without another word. There was nothing left to say between them. Their truce was over.

  Lauren exited the building feeling unburdened for the first time in a long time. Her next stop was an appointment with Joe Wheeler’s lieutenant and the chief of the Garden Valley Police. She was bringing copies of the police report and pictures of her black eye. She didn’t know what good that would do, maybe none, but she wanted it on record. She wanted him exposed for the brutal bastard he was. Once that was over, she could get on with her life and get back to normal. Whatever that is, she thought as she twisted through the revolving doors to the sidewalk.

  Her unmarked car was idling on the curb outside Violanti’s building with Reese waiting for her behind the wheel. He revved the engine a little as she walked up and gave her a crooked grin. As tired as she was, she managed a sad little smile for Reese. Because he was there for her.

  Lauren’s phone vibrated as she opened the passenger side door. It was Mark. She hit ignore.

  David was flipping through the photos on a dating app while he waited for Detective Lauren Riley to emerge from Uncle Frank’s law firm building. It had been just his luck to see her exit the loud wreck of an unmarked police car and disappear into the building as he pulled up. He parked his mom’s maroon sedan on the opposite side curb and watched. He was supposed to talk to Uncle Frank about the new allegations that had come about, but that could wait. He wanted to know what Detective Riley was up to. She had been carrying a load of files. Probably my paperwork, he mused and sat back. He had all the time in the world now.

  Too thin. Swipe. Too much make up. Swipe. Too educated. Swipe.

  As he paged through the sea of pictures, his mind drifted back to that night with Katherine.

  The sound of the car door opening startled her.

  She had looked up.

  “I’m sorry,” she stammered, surprised that he had come back. She had slid her credit card up on the dashboard while she rifled through her purse for something. He had stood on the driver’s side, door open, sweat making his hair stick to his forehead. “Did you forget something? Because I—”

  David lunged at her.

  The shock of him ripping the scarf out of her hair made overpowering her easy. As she struggled against the silk pulling against her neck, he could feel her breath on his face. She kicked out at the seat, her feet still bare from when she’d kicked off her shoes. Her hands reached out, trying to grab onto something, some life ring she could use to bring her to the surface, gasping for air. But there was nothing. He was on top of her, his full weight pressing her down. He was pulling the scarf tighter, but slowly. Slowly.

  Her fight weakened. He took his time now, savoring the moment. Her eyes begged for answers she’d never get, then clouded over.

  David let the scarf slip from his fingers, looking over her body, taking stock of his work. She had been hot, all right. On the backseat was the bag from the toy store with the woman’s two games. She always got two of the exact same game. Vaguely, he had wondered why she did that. Had she been trying to get his attention? She had gotten his attention all right. He propped her up a little, so she didn’t look so disheveled. He wanted her to look nice. He straightened his shirt, closed the door, and walked right to his car.

  His uncle had showed him the crime scene photos during the trial. She had slumped forward somehow. Very nasty looking. Oh well. He had tried to be nice.

  The memory snapped away when Detective Riley came out of the building without the files she had gone in with. He gripped the steering wheel and watched her move toward her car. Blond hair done up in a ponytail, bobbing as she walked, his eyes were glued to her. The guy driving had been with her at his trial. He had to be her partner. David heard him gun the engine a little as she got in and they were off.

  Detective Riley had gotten his attention.

  She would be tough. A lot of thought and planning. It had been the lack of thought and planning that had almost been the end of him this time. But he was in better control of himself since he went to jail. Jail had taught him the value of patience and timing. His girlfriend had been a necessity, Katherine had been opportunity, but Lauren would be a pleasure.

  But that was his long game. He needed something else to fill the void in the meantime.

  Swipe. Swipe. Swipe.

  No, no, no.

  Wait a second. He paused to examine the picture in front of him more carefully. Young, red hair, freckles, loves dogs.

  He gazed down at his phone. She was perfect. He hit CONNECT and the screen to her mail box popped up. He put the car in drive and tossed the phone on the seat next to him. He’d message later.

  He smiled to himself.

  This was getting easier for him.

  Acknowledgments

  I would like to thank everyone who, over the years, has taken this journey with me. First and foremost, my family: Dan, Natalie, and Mary Grace, you are the inspiration and motivation for everything I do. My mom and sister, dad in heaven, my in-laws—without your help, this book would not be here.

  To the writers in my critique group, John, Mike, Eric, Elisa, Rick, Barb, Lisa, Lynn, Shannon, my partner in crime, Stephanie Patterson—thank you for the comments, good and bad, the encouragement and the great company over these last few years. A special shout out to Mike Breen for giving my draft of this book the once-over and helping me with my comma problem—now get back to writing!

  A shout out to the members of the Western NY Chapter of Sisters in Crime-Murder on Ice, who helped me with my query, told me what to expect, and have rooted for me every step of the way.

  To the incomparable novelist Dinitia Smith, who on my worst days told me to suck it up and never let me give up on myself, thank you for all your support.

  A huge thank you to my agent Bob Mecoy, for taking a chance on me.

  To my fellow coppers on the Buffalo Police Department, thank you for providing me with enough ideas for a hundred books. You are truly heroes in my eyes, especially everyone I was partnered up with at one time or another over twenty-two years. And no, that character is not you.

  John Gilmour, Esq. gave me so many wonderful insights into working for both the prosecution and the defense. Any procedural legal mistakes in this book are definitely mine and not his.

  Dr. Joseph Bart took time out of his incredibly demanding schedule to answer all my medical questions for me. Once again, any mistakes in this story are mine and not his.

  Thank you, Tracy Gallagher Reid, for the awesome gift of your friendship. I count myself blessed that you were a part of my life.

  I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention fellow writer Jess Lourey, who met me at a SinC workshop and suggested I send my manuscript to her editor. Everyone should buy a copy of one of her books. Right now!

  And last but not least, my editor at Midnight Ink, Terri Bischoff, who changed my life with an email I opened on the road somewhere in the hills of Pennsylvania. Also to Nicole Nugent, for ironing out my mistakes. Thank you both for all your time, patience, and effort to help make this book a reality.

  About the Author

  Lissa Marie Redmond is a recently retired Cold Case Homicide detective with the Buffalo Police Department. She lives and writes in Buffalo with her husband and two kids. A Cold Day in Hell is the first novel in her Cold Case Investigation series.