Chapter 8

 

 

Lu Nee 2 is a robot. It was named after Lu Nee 1 that was a Furby. A drug-smuggling criminal didn't cotton to Lu Nee 1. The ruthless thug slammed little Lu Nee into a closet and busted its brains out. Talk about mean! How could someone smash a cute toy? Such cruelty surely deserved a life sentence in the poky. The perpetrator actually was incarcerated for drugs and money laundering but died of a heart attack before the trial. Ruthie said it was karma--his hard heart did him in.

Penny Sue bought Lu Nee 2 because her condo didn't have an alarm system, and we had been stalked by numerous despicable hoodlums on our first visit. The robot was intended to act as a security guard, since it sensed motion and called out, "Halt, who goes there?" If nothing else, the R2D2 look-alike alerted inhabitants to an intruder. The robot was also supposed to be a maid, fetching drinks, snacks, and what not. Unfortunately, Penny Sue never mastered the remote control for that task, leading to a lot of broken stemware and spilled drinks.

Yep, our first trip was a real mess. I tripped over a body and pretty soon it seemed everyone was out to get us. Things became so bad that Ruthie's father, rest his soul, arranged to have a liquid taser sent to us from a company he'd invested in. The prototype weapon looked a lot like a kid's super soaker water gun, except this booger was no toy. It shot electrified saline solution that could stun and disable multiple subjects. The technology was under development for the Army. They were going to outfit a new version of Abrams tanks with the system, so instead of mowing down the enemy with cannons and machine guns, this device would squirt them into a stupor. A win-win. The soldiers were immobilized and no one was killed, unless, of course, someone happened to have a pacemaker that shorted out. The liquid taser was a marvelous invention that had saved our lives on several occasions.

Penny Sue opened the back door and let Kevin and Alice in from the deck. Ruthie had already dialed 9-1-1 and was talking to the dispatcher. Alice stomped in circles, muttering that she never had a clear shot.

Kevin handed the taser to Penny Sue. "What is Lu Nee 2?"

"It's the robot in the big closet."

Kevin was perplexed. "Why do you want that toy?"

"It's not a toy; it's a motion-detecting security system," Penny Sue snapped. "You probably need to charge it first. There's a cord wrapped around its arm."

A knock on the front door was Kevin's cue to leave. He bolted out the back and across our condos' shared deck, as Ruthie answered the door. It was Deputy Heather Brooks and a young patrolman.

"Is everyone all right?" Heather asked, as she strode past us to the glass doors.

"Yes, we were watching television in the dark when we heard a scraping noise on the glass," I said. "I suppose the burglars thought the TV glow was a nightlight and the place was empty."

"They were trying to lift the pole in the door's track with a slim jim," Penny Sue added, leading Heather to the deck. "We called Kevin next door at my place, and I got my .38. When we turned on the floodlights, two men scattered. Kevin got off a few shots with the taser, but they were out of range." Penny Sue pointed across the dunes. "They went that way."

With flashlights and guns in hand, Heather and her partner followed the footprints down to the beach. We watched from the deck, straining to keep them in view. They came back up the walkway from the beach a few minutes later.

"Long gone," Heather said. "There were tire tracks on the beach; they must have driven down here."

"But driving is prohibited on this part of the beach because of the sea turtles," Ruthie blurted.

Penny Sue gave her a sour look. "Burglars couldn't care less about turtles, Ruthie."

"Of course," Ruthie agreed, her face crimson. "I wasn't thinking."

"There've been a rash of burglaries," Heather continued, stooping to examine the juncture of the glass doors. "Has anyone touched this?"

"No," Alice said quickly before Penny Sue could answer. "Do you think you can lift a print?"

"Maybe. See, there's a handprint here where they pushed the door to insert the slim jim. I'll get a crime tech out here right away. We think these robberies are tied to a meth operation in the area."

"I thought you'd already arrested those guys," Alice said. "Guthrie and I saw them on North Beach today."

"Yeah." Heather stood and stretched. "City police arrested two men, but we don't think that's all of them. Last I heard, they were still being questioned. Your guys may be part of the same gang. A good fingerprint would help a lot. Tommy," she said to her partner, "call for a crime tech."

"Will do." He headed to the patrol car.

Heather regarded me seriously, holding the pole. "Leigh, you know this isn't much of a security system."

"I told her the same thing," Penny Sue snapped. "She needs a real security system like I have."

"Wait a minute. You used a pole in your door track for years, until your condo was robbed and we were almost killed," I retorted.

"Well, Leigh, you should have learned a lesson from that," Penny Sue replied in her School Marm tone.

"I'm not made of money like you used to be."

That stopped her. Penny Sue pouted and her eyes narrowed to slits.

I gave her a palms up. "Sorry, that was a low blow."

"Yes, it was." She turned her back on me.

"Ladies," Heather interrupted. "You're both upset. Let it go. This isn't the time for good friends to argue."

Penny Sue glanced at me, her jaw muscles twitching. "I guess we are on edge."

"Yes, it was a mean thing to say. I'm truly sorry."

She turned to face me. "It was hateful," Penny Sue said haughtily, "but I forgive you. I know you would have installed an alarm if you could afford it. Lord, life is expensive, isn't it?"

"It is on the beach." I gave Penny Sue a hug.

"For godssake, give me a break!" Alice stuffed her pistol in the pocket of her robe. "I can't stand blubbering women." She marched out the door, back to Penny Sue's condo.

"Who is that?" Heather asked.

"The Queen of Shit. My aunt from New Jersey, Kevin's mother."

"Does the Queen have a permit for that gun?" Heather continued.

"I have no idea." Penny Sue paused, thinking, then continued with a sparkle in her eye. "It's probably hot, a throwaway from a mob shootout. Why don't you check it out? Maybe you can arrest her."

Heather snickered. "No way I'm getting in the middle of your family squabbles." She handed me the pole. "I think I'll wait in the car for the city crime tech."

"City? Why are you here? We live in the city."

"There's a new cooperative agreement between the city and county. Whoever's closest responds. I was close. Besides, the entire beach is county property."

 

Woody arrived with the technician. "Leigh, I heard you'd had a break-in. Is everyone all right? Was anything stolen?"

"How did you hear?" Penny Sue asked suspiciously. "Am I still on your watch list?"

"I got a call because I live in your neighborhood, remember? No matter what you think, I'm not out to get you."

"Sure seems that way," she drawled.

"Hey, if everyone's okay, I'm out of here," Woody said curtly.

"Penny Sue!" Ruthie frowned at her.

Penny Sue glanced from Ruthie to Woody and let out a long breath. "Woody, I'm sorry. I was rude. I'm on edge."

He turned halfway to the front door. "Forget it, apology accepted. I'm glad to see no one was injured."

We were finishing sodas, when the crime tech and Heather came in from the deck. "We have several good prints," Heather said. "It's late. That's it for now, but I'll need statements from everyone tomorrow. My shift is about to end." Heather grinned. It was close to eleven p.m.

"How about nine?" I asked. "I would just as soon get it over with."

"That works," Heather said. The crime tech left, but Heather lingered. "Leigh, with the recent break-ins, a security system or real locks for the back doors are a good idea. All of the robbers have come from the beach. I think you can have holes drilled and pins installed to lock those doors pretty cheaply. I'd do it, if I were you."

Ruthie spoke before my sleep-deprived brain had a thought fully formed. "Don't worry, we'll order a high tech security system tomorrow. I'm buying."

"And my robot will provide security for tonight. It has a motion detector," Penny Sue bragged. The words were barely out of her mouth when a mechanical voice cried, "Whoops. Where did that come from?" Lu Nee 2 zig-zagged toward us, bumping into the walls along the way. I cringed--the walls had recently been painted. A shame Kevin wasn't much better with the remote control than Penny Sue.

"Is that your robot?" Heather asked, stifling a snicker.

"Yes," Penny Sue replied defensively.

"Then I suggest you put 9-1-1 on speed dial."

The night was uneventful, not a single peep from Lu Nee 2, and our interviews the next morning went smoothly. The fingerprints on the doorway looked promising, and Heather hoped they would identify the culprits. She'd also learned that an old Volvo was seen speeding down the beach toward the Flagler Avenue beach access ramp shortly after the attempted break-in. She speculated it was the getaway car our intruders used. Heather promised to keep us informed of any developments.

"Do you have another minute?" I asked Heather. "We wondered if there was any news on the man found dead at the library. Does anyone know who he is or how he died?"

"I can't talk about an ongoing investigation except to say that an autopsy is being performed."

"Well, a Leonard Kydd came in the library looking for a friend that matches the dead man's description. We referred him to the Sheriff's Department and he said he'd call them. Do you know if he did?"

Heather was suddenly all business. "I don't know anything about it. What did he look like?" I described Kydd, stressing his British accent and frantic behavior. "Please call me if you see him again. I'd like to speak with this guy." Heather handed me a card with her cell phone number, just as the radio on her belt spit static. She waved a thanks and headed out, already listening to her radio.

"Heather knows more than she admits," Penny Sue said.

I nodded. "No doubt about it."

As soon as Heather left, Ruthie started calling alarm companies. Two companies were available that afternoon, and a third could make it the next day. Penny Sue and I were sipping coffee and munching cinnamon raisin toast. Ruthie joined us at the kitchen counter.

"What do you have planned today?" I asked Ruthie.

"Besides getting bids on the alarm system, Kevin and I will probably work on cataloguing Abby's books." She motioned to the stack of boxes against the wall that had grown in size since I last noticed. "UPS delivered several boxes from Abby's mother yesterday. I took the delivery, since Alice was out with Guthrie and Kevin. Penny Sue had run to the store."

"Did you smudge them?" Penny Sue asked with a panicked expression.

"Yes, I did it as soon as they arrived. Those books came from Abby's apartment, so they are loaded with her vibes."

"Good." Penny Sue took a bite of toast and held up a finger while she chewed. "You know, Ruthie, Abby might not like the idea that you have her stuff, considering you and Kevin are becoming pretty tight. She might try to haunt you or something."

"I had that thought," Ruthie replied, "so I used extra sage."

Great. I not only was embroiled in another death, and had Penny Sue living with me, but now there was the possibility that my condo might be haunted. I rolled my eyes to the ceiling. Why me, Lord? It was Penny Sue. Stuff like this only happened when she was around.

Thankfully the telephone rang, diverting my attention from the spirits and hauntings. Penny Sue lunged for the phone, no doubt hoping it was Peter O'Brien. In a split second, her demeanor changed to surprised horror.

"Who, why?" she screeched. "Hold on," Penny Sue said to the caller. Then to us, "It's Alice. The New Smyrna Beach police just took Kevin into custody!" Back to the phone, she said, "I'm going to put you on the speaker if that's okay. Leigh and Ruthie are here."

I guess Alice said 'yes,' because her quivering, shrill voice filled the room. "They said there was a warrant out for Kevin in New Jersey. Failure to Appear, FTA, for a traffic accident! New Jersey wants him extradited. But, Volusia County wants to hold him as a material witness pending the results of Abby's autopsy. They think he's a flight risk if he leaves Florida. It's a big, made-up crock if you ask me. New Jersey authorities discovered his whereabouts when Volusia County ran a search on Kevin."

"For goshsakes, Heather from the Volusia County Sheriff's Department just left. The two groups must have passed each other," Ruthie exclaimed.

"See, it must be a set-up!" Alice yelled. "I'm calling my contacts at home."

"Aunt Alice, please don't do that. It will complicate things--" Penny Sue started.

"--and may put our lives in danger," I jumped in, recalling the terror of the Russian and Italian mob shootout in our complex a few years ago.

"How could it affect you?" Alice demanded.

"Please come over so we can explain," I pleaded.

Guthrie arrived at our front door before Alice. Since he usually drank his coffee, or whatever, on his balcony that overlooked our parking lot, he saw the two sets of law enforcement arrive and witnessed Kevin being led out. Guthrie was on our doorstep the moment the cops left. Alice appeared before we could close the door. She has holding a scotch and her cell phone.

"I just left a message for my contact at an Italian family. I won't say who," Alice blurted, mad as a hornet.

"Aunt Alice, we asked you to wait," Penny Sue said.

Five-foot-four Alice instantly seemed to telescope to ten-foot-six. "My only son was led away in handcuffs! Did you really think I'd do nothing?"

"There are things you don't know," I said gently, guiding her into the great room. "Coffee, anyone?" I asked, half expecting Guthrie to request a scotch.

"Black and strong," Guthrie replied, as he sat at the counter. "Believe it or not, I have a job in Daytona Beach at the Medical Examiner's. Can you believe it? I may be able to sneak a peek at Abby's autopsy report. There was a power outage last night that screwed up their system, and some of their computers are re-eally old."

"Can I go with you?" Alice asked, taking a big gulp of scotch.

For once, Guthrie gave the scotch a disapproving look. "Alice, this is a state facility. Man, we can't go in smelling like booze, or I'll lose the job. My contact is a buddy from the olden days, if you get my drift, but he's clean and sober now. A single whiff of alcohol and I'm off the list."

Alice handed her drink to Penny Sue and motioned to the sink. "I'll have a cup of black coffee," Alice said. "So what's this stuff about endangering your lives?" she asked me.

I gave her an abbreviated version of the New Jersey gang war during the 2004 hurricanes.

"I didn't know that," Alice said. "This could be a problem, not only for you, but for Kevin."

Penny Sue's eyes went wide. "You didn't call any Russians, did you?"

Tiny Alice flashed a tiny smile. "I did make one call to an old acquaintance."

I threw my head back. "Oh, crap."

Penny Sue's eyes bored holes in me. "Don't talk to my Aunt like that!"

"I'm sorry, Alice, but we don't need to be in the middle of another mob war," I said.

"Tell me again, why was Kevin arrested?" Ruthie asked Alice.

"He's actually being held by Volusia County as a material witness to prevent his extradition to New Jersey. I know the cops think I'll be able to get him out of jail in Jersey; they said as much."

"Why does New Jersey want Kevin?" Ruthie pressed.

Alice's shoulders slumped, the look of an old woman who was worn and tired but refused to give in to age. "A turnpike pileup where a woman was killed." She sighed. "It was all because of a domestic dispute. The husband had been drinking, the couple argued, and the wife fled in her car. The husband went after her, and Kevin happened to be behind the husband on the turnpike. Well, there was a minor fender bender ahead. The wife hit her brakes, but the husband's reflexes weren't very good, so he hit her hard. The poor lady was squished. Kevin was able to stop and only sustained minor damage, but he was subpoenaed to appear in court for the prosecution. The husband was charged with DUI and vehicular manslaughter. The trial was postponed, and Kevin swears he never received a notice that it had been rescheduled." Alice gritted her teeth. "The process server says otherwise, so now Kevin's FTA in Jersey."

"Gracious, what a mess," Ruthie said, cutting her eyes at Penny Sue. "And all because of alcohol."

Penny Sue's eyes narrowed. "You don't know that. There was probably a lot more to the couple's argument than alcohol. Besides, Volusia County is holding Kevin as a material witness for Abby's death." Penny Sue had flipped into her Jessica Fletcher persona.

"If that's true, they must have ruled out natural causes," Ruthie mused.

Penny Sue started to pace. "We need information on the autopsies, and we need to find out who the dead man was." She planted her feet and stared at me. "What was the name of the guy looking for the bum?"

"Don't call him a bum!" Ruthie snapped.

Penny Sue rolled her eyes. "Excuse me. The dead man, is that all right?"

"Leonard Kydd," I said quickly, hoping to prevent our own domestic disturbance. "What Kevin really needs is a lawyer. Penny Sue, do you suppose your dad can recommend someone?"

"Sure, I'll give him a call."

"Ladies," Guthrie interrupted, "I have to go. I'll try to do some snooping at the Medical Examiner's office." He turned to Alice. "If you can get the scotch odor off your breath, you can tag along as my assistant. But you can't be aggressive. Don't ask any questions. And, man, please don't threaten anyone."

Alice looked contrite. "Agreed. You call the shots."

"While you're doing that, we'll track down Kydd. Can you call off your New Jersey dogs?" Penny Sue asked Alice.

She snatched her cell phone and headed for the door. "I'll try, but those guys move fast. Guthrie, when are you leaving?"

"In an hour."

"I'll gargle mouthwash and be at your bus by then."