A Dangerous and Cunning Woman Read online

  A DANGEROUS AND CUNNING WOMAN: Book Two of the Diane Pembrook Series

  Copyright © 2018 by Ethan Johnson.

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, organizations, places, events and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  Sign up for my free email newsletter:

  http://officialethanjohnson.com

  Book and Cover design by Ethan Johnson

  Cover photo: Dieter Spears/Inhaus Creative

  CHAPTER ONE

  Alexa Charlevoix looked over a quarterly report to find Brent Moorcroft in her well-appointed office. He was dressed smartly in a dark Italian suit, sporting a red power tie and matching pocket square. He gave Alexa a smug smile as she reached for her intercom to call security.

  “No need for that, Alexa, I won’t be long. I just wanted to see how quickly you were running PDX into the ground without the board to protect you from your questionable decisions.”

  Alexa set the report aside and sat confidently in her chair. “That’s mighty big talk, dear, from someone who failed spectacularly at taking over PDX.” Her voice oozed sugary southern charm with a steely bite. “As I recall—correctly—I have your blind arrogance to thank for my 95% stake in the company. One of these days I should just make it a nice round hundred, but there’s no rush. Are we done here?”

  “Not quite,” Brent said, still sporting his oily grin. “Rumor has it you’ve got your sights set on taking over the Carleton Group. That would be quite the feather in your cap… if you could pull it off.”

  Alexa picked up the report and let it flop onto her desktop. “Not that it’s any of your business, Brent, but the Carleton deal should be closed by Friday, pending some last-minute details.” She stood and gestured to the door. “Well, I gather you’ll be on your way, now. Run along.”

  Brent smiled and produced a folded piece of paper from his inside pocket. “Oh, don’t worry, Alexa, I won’t take up any more of your copious free time. I just wanted to see your face after you saw this.” He handed her the paper, and the camera zoomed in as Alexa’s face contorted in shock and rage as she scanned through the document.

  “This isn’t possible. Carleton was mine. How did you—”

  Brent raised his hand dismissively. “No, Alexa, it wasn’t me. I volunteered as courier. As I said, the look on your face is payment enough.” He turned to leave, then paused at the door. “A little free advice, Alexa, from someone who knows a thing or two about business. You’re either the fastest, or you’re dead. Carleton was signed this morning. What were you going to do for three more days?”

  Alexa threw her coffee mug at him. “Get the hell out of my office.” Brent Moorcroft hurried through the door, then the camera swept across the room and pulled in tight to Alexa’s face. Tears welled up in her eyes and her chin quivered. The screen went dark as dramatic music swelled.

  Diane Pembrook leaned back against the wall as she sat on her bed in the dorm room she shared with Sapphire Sorrellis. She looked over at Sapphire who scowled as she read a book. Diane kept the volume as low as possible, having lost her ear buds, but the look on Sapphire’s face suggested that one more word from Alexa Charlevoix would send her over the edge.

  After an ad break, the screen lit up to show Lana Brinkman in bed with Ken Daniels. Diane rolled her eyes. She didn’t care for the pairing and seeing anyone in bed together romantically reminded her of how much she missed having Lyssa close. They used to spoon as they sat on the bed together. Diane would watch the screen over Lyssa’s shoulder after parting her wild hair aside. From time to time, she’d kiss the back of Lyssa’s neck and enjoy the nearness of her. Diane sighed and tried to put Lyssa out of her mind as Lana and Ken talked about getting married.

  The screen went black, but not gracefully. A bold-typed message appeared: SERVICE INTERRUPTED FOR NON-PAYMENT. Diane knew the deadline was close, but she thought she could skate by for two more days when payday rolled around. She hated to wait until then and needed her stories. She looked over at Sapphire and cleared her throat.

  “Um, I hate to ask this, but could you borrow me fifty bucks until payday?”

  Sapphire didn’t look up from her book. “Lend. What happened to saving money?”

  “I… well, things came up. I had some socked away, but I ran short this week and had to use it all.” Diane hated having to ask for help, especially financial. Sapphire used to be well connected with her father’s business and credit cards, but he cut her off and left her to fend for herself after finding out she’d been out on patrol in direct violation of his orders. He didn’t like her being on the police force as it was but being a field officer meant risking death. He preferred his risks to be confined to the stock market.

  Sapphire threw her head back and sighed. “I can’t believe you watch that crap. I’m not paying for your stupid addiction.”

  Diane bristled. “It’s not crap.”

  “Believe me, as someone who has been subjected to it for months now, it’s crap. There are so many better things you could be doing with your time.”

  “Like what, reading?” Diane was surprised it came out sharply.

  Sapphire looked over and nodded. “Yes.” She returned to her book. Diane picked up on her body language that their conversation was over. She thought about the word ‘conversation’ and tapped at her tablet until she found an icon with a swirly FG logo. She tapped it once and selected Lyssa from her FreeGab contact list. A green indicator showed she was available to chat. Diane felt a thrill as she initiated a contact request, then groaned as a series of ads ran that she couldn’t bypass. Once they were finished, Lyssa’s face appeared on the screen. She brightened up at the sight of Diane.

  “Hey, you. I wondered who had the nerve to interrupt my stories. You’re on the okay list.”

  “You too, pumpkin. Listen, I hate to bother you with this, but my ArcMAX bill is overdue. No stories for me until I pay up.”

  Lyssa frowned. “Sorry, hon. If you come over, you can watch them here.”

  “Can you give me a ride?”

  “Nope. No wheels. My mom has the car all week, which sucks, because I can only go out on job interviews close by. There’s like, nothing here.”

  Sapphire snorted and muttered, “There are at least five office parks near her. Lazy.”

  Diana shot an annoyed glance at Sapphire before responding to Lyssa. “I hear you. I’m in a total wasteland over here, and all cooped up with Sourpuss. Envy me.”

  Sapphire lowered her book. “Sourpuss?”

  “Then get your sweet butt over here. What’s your excuse?”

  “No wheels, either. And no money. My life sucks.”

  “Mine too. Oh crap, they’re going to make me watch 20 more ads for three minutes. Love you, mean it.”

  “Love you too. Good—” The connection terminated. Diane was shown four more ads before the tablet could be switched off. She tossed it aside and stretched out on her bed. She squeezed the back of her neck to work out a crick and let out a low moan. She closed her eyes and imagined the life she hoped to be living: a standout rookie rising quickly through the ranks of the Panther Division, receiving merit raises and bonuses, and eating at the Cotillion as often as she pleased. She tried to remember the details of her one and only visit to the establishment. She recalled fine wood, impeccably dressed staff, and decadent food. She was surrounded by none of those thi
ngs now.

  Diane’s eyes snapped open as she heard Sapphire stir from her bed and rustle around in her things. “Okay, you big baby, how much do you need, really?”

  “What? Really? Just 50 bucks until payday, and I swear I’ll pay you right back.”

  “That wasn’t what I asked you. I don’t want to hear about quick fixes and quicker loans. I want to know what you need to be comfortable.”

  Diane’s heart raced at the prospect of this sudden windfall. Sapphire was bent on saving up for her own apartment and moving out as soon as possible. Diane hated setting her back but wanted to know what Sapphire had in mind. “Three hundred would work wonders, honestly.”

  Sapphire dug through a bag. “Three hundred what, a month? A week? A day?”

  “A month, I guess. I hadn’t given it that much thought.”

  “Obviously. How does five hundred sound?”

  Diane sat bolt upright. Five hundred! Not only could she pay for another month of her entertainment service, she could be at Lyssa’s in a heartbeat. She wasn’t sure what taxis cost but $450 had to be more than enough, round trip, she assumed. “That would be fabulous.” Her voice took on Alexa’s twang.

  Sapphire puffed out a small laugh. “Hey, you used it correctly. Look who’s been hitting the books after all. Well, if it’s five hundred easy dollars you’re after, I have just the thing right here.” She tossed Diane a folded piece of paper. “On the house.”

  Diane unfolded the paper and frowned as she looked it over. She held it up and glared at Sapphire. “What am I supposed to do with this?”

  “Okay, so maybe you haven’t been hitting the books. Here, let me explain it for you: this is a list of the ten most wanted criminals in the city.” She leaned forward and tapped a face in the lineup. “See this thignoid dealer? Look what they’re paying to take him out.”

  “Five hundred dollars.”

  “Right. And the best part is, you don’t owe it back after you blow it on stupid crap. With a little piss and vinegar, a girl like you ought to clean up nicely.”

  Diane huffed and mulled over the list. The payouts were attractive. The top name on the list paid out $100,000. Her eyes shone as she fantasized about what she’d do with that kind of money. Her thought bubble popped when Sapphire spoke again.

  “Oh, and you can’t use your service weapon. If you use work gear, they’ll say you’re acting in the line of duty and you’ll only get 10% of the take, plus a pat on the butt from Kenner. Frankly, this town can be hopped up on thignoids until doomsday if that means keeping his creepy hands off me.”

  Diane looked over at her father’s rifle. It was loaded with a single cartridge. She didn’t have any more bullets and couldn’t afford any anyway. She was flat broke until payday. After tossing the flyer on her desk, she flopped back on her bed and stared at the ceiling. Sapphire was right. One sure shot would bag her a quick $500 and rid the city of a scumbag drug dealer. She frowned as self-doubt nagged at her. One sure shot. She knew she could do it. She had done it before. It was how she came into possession of her father’s rifle. She fingered the stallion’s head pendant she wore on a simple silver chain and contemplated how she would do the job.

  She sat up and plucked the flyer from her desk. She waved to Sapphire with it, causing her to slam her book on her thighs and give her a withering stare.

  “Oh my god, what now?”

  “Where’s Anderson Park?”

  CHAPTER TWO

  The following morning, Diane reported to briefing room 1A as usual. She expected Sergeant Addison to run down a list of bulletins, then send everyone off on their respective patrols with a rousing slogan: “Not another Arbor.” The veterans and new recruits would salute and pat a framed photo of the old Fourth Precinct building before it was reduced to rubble in the bombings and aftermath of the worst terrorist attack on US soil. For Diane, Arbor Day was a happy memory. It led to her joining the force and finally fitting in where she belonged. She spent the day shooting bad guys. Now she got paid to do it. She didn’t see a down side.

  Her partner Officer Hendricks got teary every time he patted the photo. He wouldn’t talk about Arbor Day much except to say he lost “close… friends,” which was all he could get out before being rendered mute for several minutes as he mourned the dead.

  Sergeant Addison approached a worn wooden lectern at the front of the room and to Diane’s dismay, he wasn’t alone.

  “Good morning, everyone. Many, if not all of you, know Lieutenant Griggs. He trained some of you. Some of our finest officers, if I say so myself.” He winked at Diane. She gave him a sheepish smile in return but inwardly relished the recognition. “Jim Hendricks, for example. Are you keeping the rookie in line?”

  Hendricks laughed. “I’m doing my best. She’s a handful.”

  “You need to take her to Vito’s over there on Bergen.” The sergeant patted his stomach. “Put some meat on those bones.”

  “Will do, sir,” Hendricks said with a chuckle.

  Diane felt her cheeks burn. What kind of way was this to talk about the Panther Division’s star recruit? She took down the Stallion gang. She took down the Toros. She even killed her own father. She felt tears coming on at the thought of him. She held them back lest she come off as breaking down for other, less noble reasons.

  The sergeant continued. “Lieutenant, I understand you’ve outdone yourself this time.”

  Lieutenant Griggs gave him a toothy smile and took his place at the lectern. “Indeed, I have, sergeant. This by far was my best group of cadets since… well, I think it goes without saying. And one cadet in particular, well, let me tell you, he caught my eye from day one and I knew he was a rare breed. He excelled at book work, paid attention during lectures, and gave a master class on professional conduct when he was training in the field.”

  Diane crossed her arms tightly and let out a snort. Griggs addressed the room in a three-point nodding motion, and she knew he wasn’t singling her out directly, but his words stung. Not that she expected a glowing report from Griggs. He’d thrown her in jail and tried in vain to get her tossed off the force. Chief Kenner overruled him both times. As a result, she was fiercely loyal to Kenner and was willing to put Griggs down in a freak gun cleaning incident, except she didn’t like anything that suggested she didn’t know her way around firearms.

  Griggs held up a paper target from the shooting range. Diane leaned forward and squinted, then snorted louder when she realized what she was looking at. Griggs held it up like a prized fish.

  “This cadet has displayed impeccable marksmanship. See here. Three strikes, all in the center area. That’s the sort of precision you should all aspire to. Perhaps you’ll be so lucky as to get some pointers and improve your own shooting.” Griggs held up another target. Four holes were pierced at random points in the target circle. One was close to the bullseye but not centered. “See? Another example of his focus and control. Learn from him. I cannot stress this enough.”

  Diane couldn’t control herself any longer. “Are you out of your ever-loving mind?” Alexa’s twang cut through the center of her words. Hendricks jabbed her ribs with his elbow.

  “Quiet. This is great stuff.”

  “Great? I nailed the bullseye with five straight shots. Dead center. I—”

  Her partner shushed her. “Whatever you say, Pembrook. You tell that story a lot, but where’s the proof?”

  “I told you, Sapphire—”

  Addison shushed her again and gestured to the lectern. Griggs used his left arm to point out a clean-cut male in the front row. “So, without any further ado, please welcome Officer Cade Goodwin to the Panther Division.”

  Goodwin stood and nodded as the room erupted in applause. Diane clapped lightly for him, if only for making the cut and joining their ranks. Good help was still hard to find. While she and her fellow officers worked hard to keep their piece of the city safe, entire neighborhoods were still in chaos. The news couldn’t report on the crime fast enough, and the mayor an
d other officials could only promise more help was on the way. Cade Goodwin wasn’t the best marksman, she’d determined, but if he could do the job otherwise, she’d welcome him into the fold. But she didn’t have to like it.

  Griggs nodded, and Goodwin sat down. “That, right there, is the future of the Panther Division. Mark my words.”

  The room applauded once more, and Griggs took his leave. Diane seethed with disgust. Sergeant Addison returned to the lectern. “Well, that’s enough excitement for one day, huh? What a find. Great things, Cade. We’re expecting great things from you, and I’m confident you’re going to deliver in spades.”

  Diane only heard Goodwin’s voice. “I’ll do my best, sir. We’ve got to make these streets safe again.”

  Addison nodded approvingly. “Safe streets. Absolutely. That’s what we’re here to achieve. Go make it happen, everyone. Remember: not another Arbor.”

  “Sir, no sir,” chanted the officers as they headed to their patrol cars. One by one, they slapped the framed photo of the 4th precinct building and marched to the parking lot.

  Diane didn’t want to join in and give a Griggs-approved cadet the satisfaction of receiving undeserved praise. She patted the photo and muttered, “For Milton.” She brushed a tear away as she headed to the car.

  Her partner drove in silence, smiling as if he were recalling his favorite food. Diane caught a faraway look in his eye and was concerned he wasn’t fully focused on patrol. Rhino Division lost four officers the week before to distracted driving. Two were killed instantly when their car struck a steel beam after the windshield was struck by a rock, spider-webbing it and reducing their visibility to near zero. Rather than slam on the brakes, the driver accelerated as he pulled the car over and struck the beam. Diane knew she wasn’t invincible, but she preferred to die on her own terms. Definitely fighting. Not like a sucker.

  Hendricks spoke before she could inhale. “I think he’s going to work out fine. If Griggs likes him, he must really know his stuff.”