Date: Wed, 20 Nov 2002 15:01:37 EST
From: MystryAuthr@aol.com
Subject: Chapter 31 of The Truth of Yesterday

Josh Aterovis is the author of Bleeding Hearts (ISBN: 1930928688) and the
upcoming Reap the Whirlwind (Coming in May of 2003), published by
Renaissance Alliance Publishing Inc. (http://www.rapbooks.biz) The Truth of
Yesterday is the fourth book in the Killian Kendall series.

Visit "Black Sheep Productions" for more information.
Official Site of the Killian Kendall Mystery Series
http://www.steliko.com/bleedinghearts


The Truth of Yesterday

Chapter 31

	"You know him?" Jake asked in surprise.

	"We've met," I said sharply, my heart hammering in my chest and my
mind racing. I sat down heavily in the single chair next to the bed.

	"You think this guy may have had something to do with...what
happened?"

	"If Fenton coerced Razi into killing Paul, or even hired him, and
Razi found out that I was getting close to finding that out, he might have
had reason to want Fenton dead."

	"I don't understand."

	"As far as he knows, with Fenton dead, there's nothing to tie him
to the crime. He doesn't know that you overheard his conversation with
Fenton, which is probably the only thing that saved your life."

	"What do you mean?"

	"I think when Razi found you passed-out he decided to try and pin
the murders on you. That's why he left the gun in your hand and left you
alive. If you'd died of an overdose, it would be all the better. It would
look like you killed yourself after you killed everyone else."

	"But you don't have any proof of any of that."

	"No, but I intend to get it," I said as I stood up.

	Jake eyes widened. "How?"

	"I'm going to see Razi."

	"Killian, no! If he's the killer you could be in danger."

	"It's the only way to clear you of the murders."

	"Let the police handle it. I'll tell them everything I've told
you."

	I sighed. I knew he was right, even though part of me wanted to
confront Razi, danger or no. "Ok. We'll try the police first, but if that
doesn't work, then I'll have to take matters into my own hands."

	I left to go find Ilana and a police officer. Ilana went in first
for a brief conference with Jake, then she was joined by a police officer
who took Jake's statement. I waited tensely in the waiting room with Novak,
Micah, and Judy. I seemed to have gotten my second wind-or was on my third
or fourth by now?-and my body was aching for action. I was itching to be in
on whatever the police decided to do about Razi.

	Finally, Ilana came back out. I was on my feet in a flash. "What's
going on?" I demanded.

	She shrugged. "You know about as much as I do. Jake gave them a
statement regarding this Razi character, but I don't think they gave too
much credence to it. They seem to be under the impression that he's making
it up to throw suspicion from himself. They want to see you now to find out
what you know about Razi."

	As she finished speaking, Detective Rosen came into the waiting
room and spotted me. He signaled me over with a sour expression.

	"I didn't think I'd be having another conversation with you this
soon," he said as I approached. "We've got Jake Davis' statement and now we
need some information from you. He doesn't know what this Razi's last name
is but he thought you might."

	I pulled out my notebook, which had been returned to me along with
my other personal belongings when I was released, and flipped through it
until I found Razi's information. "Akiba," I told him. "Razi Akiba."

	"What do you know about him?"

	"Not much. I interviewed him in my investigation but he wasn't
exactly cooperative. I know he used to work for Fenton Black's escort
agency and was supposedly a friend of Paul Flynn, the guy who was
murdered."

	"That it?"

	"I have an address for him."

	He copied down the address from my notebook.

	"Are you going to look into this?" I asked.

	Rosen gave me a probing stare. "Not that it's any of your business,
but I'll be getting in touch with the DC detective handling the case and
we'll compare notes and see where it goes from there."

	"Don't you think you should at least have Razi taken into custody?
What if he finds out you're on to him and runs?"

	"We can't just lock people up for no reason. Right now, we have no
evidence that he is involved with these murders in any way. All we have is
the word of some drug addled kid who'd probably say anything at this point
to save his own skin. Maybe he is telling the truth, but until we have
something more to go on, we're assuming that Jake is the killer here."

	I opened my mouth to argue but he turned and walked away
purposefully.

	"Killian, relax," Micah said softly, coming up next to me. I
realized that I had clenched my fists at my side and forced myself to let
go.

	"I have to go back to DC," I said in a low voice.

	"What? Now?"

	"Yes, now."

	"Killian, you haven't had any real sleep in almost 48 hours. You
can't turn around and drive back to DC now. The police will handle this."

	"Like they handled Paul's case? I've got to do something, Micah. I
can't just sit here."

	"You're going to do this no matter what I say, aren't you?" he
sighed.

	I nodded.

	"Then I'll drive you."

	 I looked over at him and he gave me a small, resigned
smile. "You'll do that for me?"

	"I'll go get the car."

	He walked out and I suddenly found Novak at my side. "We need to
talk. Let's step outside." His tone of voice implied that this would not a
fun conversation.

	I followed him out without saying a word. An older man was smoking
a cigarette just outside the door, so we moved a few feet away.

	"I need to apologize to you, Killian," he said softly. I felt my
mouth drop open.

	"Apologize to me? For what?"

	"I've been very negligent in my training. You came along so
quickly, and you're such a good investigator, that I keep forgetting that
you're still a kid. I should have never vanished in the middle of your
investigation."

	"Novak, you don't have to apologize," I interrupted, confused and a
little shaken by this sudden turn of events. "It's your job..."

	"It's also my job to make sure you are properly trained as an
investigator and to help keep you out of trouble. This business at Fenton
Black's house, that was reckless and well, let's face it; it was
stupid. First of all, if you had a license it probably would have been
revoked, or at least it would have been a mark against you. What you did
was illegal; it's called breaking and entering. It was also dangerous. If
the security force had been in place, you would quite possibly be dead
right now. As it was, if the killer had still been on the premises, he
probably would have killed you too."

	"I know it was stupid. I'm sorry."

	He held up a hand. "But...if you hadn't done what you did, Jake
would probably be dead right now from the drug overdose. Plus, we now have
a jump on the killer that we might not have had if you hadn't gotten there
when you did."

	"So, wait...Was it a good thing that I broke into Fenton's estate
or a bad thing?"

	"Both."

	"I don't get it."

	"It worked out for the best this time and you were given a lot of
breaks. You might not be so lucky next time. I overheard you saying you're
heading to DC. If you're planning on confronting Razi in some way, I would
advise you not to but somehow, I have a feeling I'd be wasting my time." He
gave me a look that clearly invited a response of some sort.

	"The police could drag this out who knows how long, if they do
anything at all. The longer we take the more chance that Razi could
bolt. Or he could hurt Tad."

	"Tad?"

	"The boy who lives with him."

	"Do you have any reason to think that Razi will hurt this boy?"

	"He's killed at least four people, isn't that reason enough?"

	"You've obviously made up your mind about this. I could forbid you
to go, but you're an adult and you can make your own choices. I do want you
to be prepared, however."

	Just then, Micah pulled up in his car, making me remember that I
had left my car back at the end of Fenton's road.

	"Where's my car?" I asked.

	"Probably in impound," Novak said. "You'll have to pick it up."

	"It'll have to wait."

	"Follow me to my car, I have something to give you," Novak ordered
and set out across the parking lot. I jumped into Micah's car.

	"Follow Novak," I told him. "He has something for me."

	"What?"

	"I don't know."

	He pulled up behind Novak's beat-up old jalopy and I climbed
out. Novak was leaning into the car on the passenger side, rummaging
through the glove box.

	"Too much crap in here," he grumbled. He pulled out a shiny black
gun and laid it on the seat next to him.

	"You're giving me a gun?" I gasped.

	He carefully drew his head out of the car and gave me a withering
glare. "Have you lost your mind? Do you honestly think I'd give you a gun?
Do you have any idea how quickly they'd have my license if you ran off and
shot somebody with my gun?" He ducked back in and emerged a few seconds
later brandishing a black tube-shaped object.

	"What's that?"

	"Pepper spray."

	"Pepper spray?" I asked disbelievingly. This was what he wanted to
give me?

	"Have you ever been sprayed with it?"

	"No."

	"I have. We had to when it was issued to the police department. Let
me tell you something, it hurts. All you can think about is how much it
hurts. It's some of the worst pain I've ever felt in my life. It's a very
effective, relatively non-violent weapon. Don't knock it. Put out your
hand." I did and he slapped the canister into my open palm. "Stick in your
pocket and don't forget it's there. If you need it, don't hesitate to use
it. But for God's sake, make sure it's pointed in the right direction
before you spray it. We'll talk more when you get back."

	I stuck it in my pocket thinking it wasn't very likely I'd be using
it. I left Novak returning things to the glove box and rejoined Micah in
his car.

	"What did he give you?" he asked.

	"Pepper spray."

	Micah frowned.

	"Yeah, that was pretty much my reaction too," I said. "Let's go."

	"Where exactly are we going?" he asked as he pulled away. "Besides
DC."

	"Razi's apartment."

	"Do you think that's safe? Even with your trusty pepper spray?"

	"No, I don't think it's safe, but what choice do I have?"

	"Maybe you should call your detective friend that you worked with
yesterday."

	"Evans? I wouldn't exactly call him a friend."

	"Still, he knows the history of the case. He might be willing to go
out on a limb to help."

	"I doubt that," I said, but I pulled out my cell phone anyway,
looked up Evans' number, and dialed it.

	A voice message answered. "Hi, this is Detective Owen Evans," his
recorded voice informed me. "I'm not at my desk right now, but you can
leave a message at the tone and I'll get back to you as soon as
possible. If this is an emergency or if you would like to speak to someone
else, please press zero now." I did so and the phone rang a few times
before being answered by gruff male voice.

	"I'm trying to reach Detective Evans," I told him.

	"Detective Evans isn't on duty right now, would you like to leave a
voice mail message or speak to the detective currently on duty?"

	"No, that's alright," I said and disconnected. "He's not on duty
right now," I told Micah.

	"What about Chris' dad?"

	"He's not even working on this case."

	"Still, he might be able to help."

	"I should probably tell Chris what's going on anyway," I
conceded. I glanced at my watch; between jail and the hospital, I'd spent
another wakeful night. It was now almost eight in the morning. "She should
be up, don't you think?" I dialed her number and her little brother Kevin
answered after several rings.

	"Hey Kevin, this is Killian. Is Chris there?"

	"Yeah, hang on," he said. I heard him bellow for Chris followed by
their father yelling at Kevin to finish getting ready for school. The phone
was set down with a thud and a few seconds later, Chris was on the line.

	"Hello?"

	"Chris, it's Killian."

	"Killian! What the hell is going on? We heard on the news this
morning that Fenton Black is dead along with his two bodyguards."

	"I know, I'm the one that found them. I was there when the police
arrived and I spent most of the night in jail."

	"What?"

	I quickly gave her the whole story, including how Jake was
currently under suspicion for the murders and what he'd told me about
Razi. "So we're on our way there now," I finished up. "I'm not sure what
I'm going to do when we get there. I guess I'll figure it out as I go
along."

	"Killian, this is crazy. You can't go in there alone."

	"Oh, it's ok. I'm armed with pepper spray."

	"Huh?"

	"Chris, I have to do something. Tad could be in danger. You've met
him. He's just a kid and he's already been through so much."

	"You know what, Killian Kendall? You have a savior complex."

	"A what?"

	"A savior complex. It's common among cops. It means you think you
have to save everyone. Well guess what? You can't. You're only human. You
can't be there for everyone in trouble."

	"I don't think I can save everybody," I said defensively. "But what
kind of person would I be if I knew someone was in danger and didn't do
anything to help them? Sure, it would be easier, safer, to just let the
professionals deal with it. The problem is, they don't always deal with it,
and when they do, they're often too late."

	"That doesn't mean you can just take the law into your own hands."

	"All I'm going to do is try to get Tad out of there. And maybe see
what I can get out of Razi."

	"I just don't think it's a very good idea."

	"Is there anything your dad can do?"

	"Like what?"

	"I don't know; some kind of back-up?"

	"Back-up? You're not a cop; you can't get back-up."

	"I just meant maybe some officers could be sent over to Razi's
apartment or something."

	"That would be back-up. Without evidence, their hands are
tied. Right now, there's no evidence linking Razi to either crime except
for the testimony of your friend, who isn't the most reliable source. If
someone else could corroborate his story..."

	"Everyone who could have corroborated his story is dead."

	"Which would be convenient if he was lying since that also means
that everyone who could disprove his story is dead."

	"Except Razi."

	"And of course all you have to do is ask him if he killed Paul and
the others and he's going to fall all over himself to admit it."

	"I didn't say that."

	"Then what exactly are you expecting to happen?"

	"I don't know," I admitted. What was I expecting? Why was I doing
this? I paused a second while I thought about it, and I recognized that
underlying feeling of pressure I'd almost grown accustom to do over the
last few days. It had been my driving force through all of this. I couldn't
identify it except that I felt as if something bad was approaching, as if a
storm was building and only I could do something about it. "I just
feel...compelled somehow. It's hard to explain, Chris. I just know I have
to do something. Look, I'm sorry I called and upset you. I'll handle this
myself."

	"Killian, don't do anything stupid."

	"I won't." I hung up and slumped down in my seat sulkily.

	Micah took his eyes off the road long enough to glance over at
me. "Why don't you try to get a little sleep?" he suggested. "I'll wake you
up when we get there."

	I shrugged. It was as good a suggestion as any, but I doubted I'd
be able to fall asleep as keyed up as I felt. Somewhat surprisingly, I
realized I was drifting off after just a few minutes. I struggled against
it for a bit longer, but finally gave in and fell asleep.

	I came awake with a start as Micah gently shook my arm. "We're
almost to DC," he said. "Where do we go from here?"

	I drowsily pulled out my notebook and tried to focus my eyes. I
think my little nap had done more harm than good; I was feeling very
discombobulated. I found Razi's address and read it off to Micah.

	"Oh, I know where that is."

	"Have you been there before?" I asked somewhat suspiciously.

	"No, but I know the area. I did live here for several years, you
know." We drove in silence for a few minutes, then he asked, "So what's the
plan once we get there?"

	"I don't really have one," I confessed grumpily.

	"Well, it might a good idea to have one, don't you think?"

	"I work better without a plan."

	"Ok, well what about me?"

	"What about you?"

	"Hey, Killian, can you stop being so hostile here? I'm on your
side. Remember? I didn't have to drive you up here."

	"You're right. I'm sorry," I said contritely. "I'm just so
tired. Not that I'm trying make excuses. It's just..."

	"It's ok. I understand. This is something you feel you have to
do. I can understand that. I'm not going to try and stop you. I want to
help you but I don't know what to do. Do you want me to go in with you? Or
do you want me to stay outside and act as your back-up?"

	I rubbed my face, wishing I was more alert for this. "I don't
know. Which do you think would be better?"

	"Neither one is going to be a picnic," he said darkly. "If I go in
and something goes wrong I might not be able to call for help. But at least
I'd know what the hell was going on. If I stay outside and something goes
wrong, I could maybe call for help, but I won't know what's going on. And
what if Razi isn't home?"

	"Huh?" That possibility hadn't even occurred to me.

	"What if Razi isn't even there? He could be out on a job."

	"Well, it would make it easier to get Tad out of there at least."

	"Have you thought ahead as to what you're going to do with Tad if
you do get him out?"

	My silence was answer enough.

	"You're really doing this on a wing and a prayer, aren't you?"

	"He can stay with me until we figure out what to do with him," I
said.

	"I hope Adam will be ok with that."

	"He will be. Besides, he isn't even at the beach house that much
these days. He spends most of the time at the B&B."

	"And what if Razi is there?"

	"Then I'll think of something."

	"Kill, I know you think fast on your feet, usually anyway, but
you're really tired right now. You're not exactly at your peak
performance."

	"Do you have any ideas?"

	"Not really."

	"Alright then. We wing it."

	Micah sighed, obviously not happy with that prospect but unable to
come up with a better alternative.

	We drove the last few minutes to Razi's neighborhood in tense
silence. He parked the car and we approached the apartment building on
foot. At Razi's door, I hesitated, wondering if maybe we shouldn't form
some sort of plan at least. The question was answered for me when the door
suddenly swung open and Tad stepped into the hall carrying a large trash
bag. He blinked in surprise when he saw us. I quickly put my finger to my
lips before he could say anything. He pulled the door shut and looked at me
questioningly.

	"Is Razi home?" I whispered.

	He nodded uncertainly. "I have to take this to the dumpster," he
whispered back. "If I take too long he'll be mad. He's been in a really bad
mood lately. What are you doing here?"

	"Take it to the dumpster. I'll come with you and tell you on the
way. Micah, you stay here and watch the door in case Razi comes out."

	"And what do I do if he does?"

	I shrugged. "You'll think of something."

	Tad trotted off down the hall with me matching him step for step.

	"Do you know why Razi has been in such a bad mood lately?" I asked
him.

	He shot me a look out of the corner of his eye and I noticed the
fading evidence of a black eye. "No," he answered shortly.

	"Was Razi home last night?"

	"Yeah, why?"

	That stopped me in my tracks for a second. I rushed to catch back
up. "He was home?" I asked, the disappointment clear in my voice.

	"Why? What's going on?"

	"There was a murder last night, several murders in fact, and a
friend of mine is being accused of them. I think it's all connected to
Paul's murder, and I think Razi is involved up to his eyeballs. But if he
was here last night..."

	"You think Razi is the killer?"

	"Yes, there's a witness who heard Razi being asked to kill Paul."

	"But...but Paul was Razi's friend. He wouldn't kill him."

	We stopped at a dumpster in an alley next to the apartment
building. Tad tossed the bag in and we started back at a slower pace.

	"The witness said that it sounded like this guy had something on
Razi, something he was holding over his head. Besides, it would be killing
two birds with one stone. Didn't you say that Paul had been talking about
getting in touch with your father?"

	"He wouldn't have killed him," he insisted again, but he didn't
sound so convinced this time.

	"Look, I know you feel like you owe Razi some sort of loyalty
because he took you in, but like I said before, it could be a lot
different, better. You can stay with me until we figure something out."

	His eyes widened. "Are you serious?"

	"Yes, very serious. I don't think it's safe for you to be here
anymore." I stopped and grabbed Tad's wrist. "Listen for a minute. If I'm
right, then Razi has killed at least four people, one of whom was supposed
to be his best friend. Even if I'm wrong about that..." I reached out and
gently touched the fading bruise. "He did this, didn't he?"

	Tad nodded slightly.

	"If he's hitting you, what makes this any better than living with
your dad?"

	"It's not always like this, only when I do something wrong."

	"Nobody deserves to be treated like this, Tad. Get out while you
can."

	"What about Razi?"

	"What about him?"

	"What if he comes after me or something?"

	"Do you think he would?"

	"I don't know. Maybe. He doesn't like to lose things he thinks of
as his."

	"And you're his?"

	He shrugged.

	"We'll have to deal with that if and when it happens. Do you have
anything inside that you need?"

	"I never said I was going with you!"

	"Tad, come on. Use your brain. You're essentially Razi's sex slave
right now." He winced but didn't argue. "And now you're turning into his
punching bag too. Is that what you want?" He shook his head no. "I can give
you somewhere safe to stay until we can figure something out. Do you want
to go with me?"

	He nodded yes, but looked more terrified than ever.

	"Good. Now is there anything in the apartment that you need or can
we just leave now?"

	"The clothes Razi bought me..."

	"We can get you new clothes."

	"That's all I have."

	"Ok. Then you can wait by the car while I go get Micah." I pointed
out Micah's car and started back inside to get my boyfriend.

	"Killian, wait," Tad called before I reached the door. I turned
back.

	"I wasn't completely honest with you."

	"About what?"

	"When you asked me if Razi was home last night."

	"He wasn't home?"

	"He was but not all night. He got a phone call yesterday afternoon
and it seemed to upset him. I don't who it was or what it was about because
Razi hardly said a word, but as soon as he hung up, slammed around the
apartment for a few minutes, and then left. He didn't come home until after
dark and he was in a terrible mood. I did my best to avoid him for the rest
of the night."

	"So he could be the killer?"

	Tad shrugged helplessly.

	"This changes everything."

	"What do you mean?"

	"I need to talk to Razi."

	"No! He's going to notice I've been gone too long soon and then
he's going to come looking for me. We have to go. Please?"

	He was right. Tad was my first priority. The police could handle
Razi. "Ok, I'll go get Micah. Wait by the car."

	When I arrived back on Razi's floor however, Micah was nowhere to
be seen.