What She Fears: Adam Kaminski Mystery Series, #4

By Jane Gorman

To solve the murder of a Galway professor involved in investigations into ancient Irish history, a Philadelphia police detective in Ireland must first confront his own truths.

Visiting Galway in an effort to strengthen his struggling romance and explore his family legacy, Philadelphia police detective Adam Kaminski stumbles onto a murder scene. Quite literally. Now he must solve the grisly murder of a university professor before he becomes a convenient scapegoat – or convenient target.

Adam and Detective Superintendent Isabel Sayers delve into local power struggles, ancient legends and archaeological discoveries in their search for a murderer. But the only way to find the truth is to face their own fears.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Blue Eagle Press
• Release date: Aug 16, 2016
• ISBN: 9780996380379

Jane Gorman

Jane Gorman is the author of the Adam Kaminski mystery series. Having worked as an anthropologist, a diplomat and a park ranger, Gorman turned to mysteries as yet another way to visit new worlds and meet new people.  Gorman's books are informed by her international experiences, both as an anthropologist and through her work with the U.S. State Department. She has previously published in the field of political anthropology, negotiated international instruments on behalf of the U.S. government, and appeared on national television through her efforts to support our nation's cultural heritage. Her books are each set in a different city or town around the world, building on her eye for detailed settings, appreciation of complex characters, and love of place-based mystery.   She lives in Cherry Hill, NJ, with her husband, who loves traveling even more than she does and has a voracious appetite for life, two cats who are very picky eaters, and a Pointer-Hound mix who wants nothing more out of life than to eat the cats.

Book preview

1

The hot pink in the scarf finally caught his attention. He should have noticed it sooner. He would have noticed it sooner if he hadn’t been preoccupied with his own concerns. Concerns that paled in comparison to those of the woman half covered by the low bushes that separated the footpath from the River Corrib.

Detective Adam Kaminski stepped off the path toward the body. She lay face up, her right arm flung over her head as if, had she been standing, she were hailing a taxi or waving a flag. Perhaps she had been trying to attract attention, flailing for any possible help during her last, horrible moments.

She looked surprised, her eyebrows frozen in an expression of amazement, her eyes wide open though forever unseeing. Adam bent closer, examining the corpse without touching anything. He knew better than that.

Her pale face lay buried beneath a wave of dark curls, but he could see that she wore makeup, her eyes lined with some kind of charcoal, her lips still ruby red, even in death. She was dressed for a night out, one high-heeled pump still on her left foot, the other not visible from where Adam crouched. A long earring lay on the ground near her head, like a colorful cut-stone flower tossed aside. Her clothes were bright. Flamboyant. He really should have noticed her sooner.

Her body lay off the main pedestrian path that crossed Nun’s Island from the cathedral, along the banks of the River Corrib toward the bridge that led to National University of Ireland, Galway. A back entrance used mostly by students. He’d only come this way because of the time he’d spent reading about the area. It seemed a pleasant walk.

In the summer months, the path would be lined with tiny pink wildflowers, lilac and flowering japonica, but at this time of year the trees were bare, the honeysuckle branches dark, the low bushes only sparsely colored skeletons of their summer selves. The ground still held a trace of dampness from the morning’s rain and it released an earthy, loamy scent with each step.

Adam was just at the point where the path turned toward the cable-stayed bridge that crossed the narrow branch of the Lower Corrib, past the old lime kiln and the exposed expanse of grass and gravel that opened up to the university campus.

As it was, he’d actually passed by before the hot-pink scarf caught his eye and he’d turned his head to look back. His eyes had been open, but he’d been looking inward, excited about his upcoming meeting. And, he could admit it, apprehensive.

His last conversation with Sylvia in Philly had been an argument. No surprise there. They’d made up since on the phone, but he wanted this visit to be special. To show her how much he loved her and how much she meant to him. Sylvia Stanko, soon to be Mrs. Adam Kaminski, had no idea Adam was joining her in Galway.

He’d booked his ticket from Philadelphia without telling her and read everything he could get his hands on about Galway, from tales of mythical Irish warrior queens to tourist guides to the city’s pubs and parks. With Sylvia’s work schedule finagled from her — without, he hoped, raising her suspicions — he’d set out that afternoon to see the town. Walking through the streets gave him a feeling for the city that no book could. He’d timed his walk to end at the university at ten minutes before seven, just before she was due to be done with her meetings for the day.

Executing his plan had been remarkably simple, really. Until he stumbled onto a murder.

2

D etective Superintendent Sayers will be talkin’ with you in just a moment, sir. Please wait here.

The round, boyish face with barely a hint of whiskers looked incongruous balanced on top of the uniform of the An Garda Síochána, but Adam took the warning seriously. His age notwithstanding, the young man’s instruction was a lawful order and Adam would comply.

The sun had risen less than an hour before, if the slightly lighter color tinting the clouds heavy in the sky above them could be called sunrise. Throughout the night, as Adam kept watch over the growing crew of law enforcement and medical personnel who claimed the crime scene as their own, a briny mist had spread over the low ground near the river. As the sun’s light grew, the mist slid away, slinking back to the safety of the running water.

The crime scene crew had taken over efficiently and effectively. Yellow caution tape created a taut fence around a broad swath of ground, reaching from the river bank, across the path and narrow strip of grass, and ending on the far side of the bushes that lined the corridor. Any pedestrians getting an early start that morning and hoping to use this path as a shortcut to or from the university were being waylaid and redirected by an eager team of young officers.

Halogen lamps on thin metal brackets marked the borders of the technicians’ territory, shining a bright, unforgiving light deep into the recesses of the bushes, creating a shimmer along the surface of the cropped grass and gravel path. Every piece of cloth, metal, plastic, or flesh jumped out in the brightness, exposed to identification, analysis, and speculation.

Though the techs were clearing away the bulk of their equipment now, having spent the past six hours poring over the grounds in great detail, their work was only just beginning. All of the evidence — and the suspicious items that would later prove to be nothing more than a waste of time — would be taken back to their labs for deeper analysis.

Adam took a breath, calling on his last reserve of patience as the young garda returned to his assigned task of monitoring the boundaries of the scene. He’d been told to wait. Repeatedly. After he’d used his cell phone to call in his gruesome discovery, ignoring the painfully high fees that he knew would be tacked on to the international call; after he’d shown the garda who first appeared on the scene what he’d found; after they’d called it in to their superiors, calling out the big dogs and the crime scene techs; throughout it all, Adam had been told to wait.

The mindfulness training he’d been subjecting himself to in an effort to control his anger was certainly coming in useful. He focused on his breath. He focused on one object in front of him. He listened to the sounds of Galway slowly waking up around him. The heavy hydraulics of the early morning delivery vans, the clinking of bicycle chains, the joyful ringing of the bells high above in the double bell towers of the cathedral. Bit by bit, the rest of the city woke up, came to life, moved into action.

Adam, pushed to the side to watch as others examined the crime scene, simply waited.

The order to stay put had prevented him from finding Sylvia. He was pretty sure, based on the detailed information about himself he’d had to provide to the gardaí, that she knew by now he was in Galway. He’d needed to give them her name and contact information to justify his presence in that part of town at that time of night. He’d needed to prove to them that he was exactly who he claimed to be: a cop from Philadelphia on vacation in Galway to surprise his fiancée as she coordinated a joint fundraising event at the university.

He glanced at his watch. By now, she knew exactly where he was and why. It certainly would have come as a surprise to her, which had been his goal, after all. Just not the way he’d wanted her to find out.

He shoved his hands deeper in his pockets, shifting his weight from side to side. The bustling activity of the crime scene moved about in front of him, as if on a stage, the actors performing for an audience of one. Only for him. Despite his efforts to be calm and wait patiently, he couldn’t help but keep a close eye on their activities.

He noted the easy identification of the victim by the earliest gardaí on the scene, the victim a well-known member of the university faculty. He watched and listened as the doctor examined the body, confirming his early speculation about time of death, narrowing it even more to between 6:00 and 6:30 that evening. He noticed the photographer focusing on a few light footprints in the grass and observing the marks left by what was likely a small sports shoe, perhaps prints left by a boy running to a football match, perhaps not linked to this investigation at all.

Reminded yet again, unnecessarily, by the young garda of his requirement to wait, Adam turned to the small gathering of techs around a long table, on which lay a collection of plastic and paper bags, plastic gloves, tubed cotton swabs, and similar items of detection. His focus on their activity around the table prevented him from noticing his assailant in time. He let his mindfulness slip.

Two strong hands grabbed his shoulders from behind, swinging him around and grabbing for his collar. The pull knocked Adam off balance. He caught himself with his hand on the ground and looked up into a gaunt, sallow face.

You. What did you do to Moira? The man’s voice stayed low, his words, in a clear American accent, issuing through narrow lips.

Adam tensed, ready to defend himself if necessary, but the man seemed to have used up all his energy on his first attack. His entire body slumped, but he kept his narrowed eyes trained on Adam. He’d been crying, his clothes were wrinkled, and he smelled like yesterday’s beer. A sheen of stubble covered his chin, though Adam suspected it was artful rather than accidental.

Why did you kill her?

Adam ignored the accusation. It took only a second and a few quick movements to twist one of the man’s arms behind his back, restraining him without hurting him.

Professor Rourke, stop it. You, let him go. Two gardaí jogged over.

Before Adam had a chance to defend his actions, Professor Rourke repeated his accusation. He killed her.

Adam loosened his grip and lowered his gaze, trying not to further antagonize the man. Professor Rourke, is it? I’m very sorry for your loss, sir, but I did not kill her. I just found her body and called it in.

Her body… Rourke looked over at the heavy black plastic that now encased the corpse, then turned back to the guards who’d escorted him in. I can’t think of Moira that way. I just can’t.

Professor Rourke. The call came from a tall woman wrapped in a black raincoat striding across the grass toward them. Control yourself, Sean. You shouldn’t even be here. She cast a meaningful glance at the guards.

He said he could identify the body, Detective Superintendent Sayers. He said he knew where she’d been last night, one of the young men said defensively.

Then I’ll talk to him down at the station. She threw a glance at Adam. And you, too. Come on with me.

She turned on her heel, a heel that was safe and dry in a dark gray rubber boot, and didn’t wait to see that Adam and Sean Rourke followed her. A woman used to having her orders immediately obeyed.

3

Sean Rourke paced back and forth across the office, no more than three steps carrying him fully across the narrow room, then three more back again. Each time, he stopped in front of the window that looked out over the shallow stream that, once upon a time, had given Mill Street its mill and hence its name.

Sit down, Professor Rourke. Please. Isabel Sayers’ voice was calm. Professional. Strong.

Sean glanced at her and retook the seat next to Adam. Isabel leaned over her desk, her long fingers clasped together in front of her, decorated only with a simple gold band on her right hand.

I understand that you’re upset, Professor Rourke, and I am truly sorry for your loss. But I need to know, why did you attack Detective Kaminski back there? What did you know, or think you know?

Detective? Sean flinched. I had no idea you were a detective. I was told you were from Philadelphia.

Adam clamped his lips shut tight at the description, working to hide the smile that threatened to escape. Yes, I am from Philadelphia. And I’m a detective. They’re not mutually exclusive.

No, no, of course not. It’s just when they said who you were, no one said anything about being with the police.

Would that have made a difference to the way you reacted? Isabel asked.

Sean shrugged. Maybe. I don’t know, maybe not.

Tell me what you told the officers, Sean. Isabel spoke calmly, soothingly. What do you know about Moira Walsh that will help our investigation into who killed her?

Nothing. Really, nothing. I just… I just wanted to see her. I couldn’t believe it. I know, they told me, but not really. It couldn’t be real, you know?

Adam knew. He’d seen that reaction enough times from the loved ones of murder victims. He’d felt that reaction himself when he’d first learned about his students, gunned down in a drive-by shooting in Philadelphia. Violence was always hard to accept. Hard to believe.

You were involved with Moira? Adam asked.

Sean put his head to the side. Well… I wouldn’t say involved. We’d been… well, we’d been together a couple of times over the past few months. It wasn’t serious. At least, not yet. What could have been? Who knows. He stood and walked to the window to stare once more at the old, worn, broken mill wheel that blocked the stream outside Isabel’s window.

Really, I guess, to be honest, we were just colleagues. Friends. Perhaps we could have been something more. I needed her.

You needed her?

He shrugged, looked down at his feet. You know how it is. You get ideas. You think you have plans.

I do. Isabel’s tone was firm, offering complete understanding. When was the last time you saw her?

Sean pursed his lips, blinked a couple of times, then turned his face back to the window.

Did you see her last night? Isabel persisted.

I… no, no, I didn’t. I mean — I saw her yesterday, of course, in the afternoon. But not last night, not… He laughed and glanced back and forth between the two detectives. Sorry, I mean no, I didn’t see her last night.

Isabel looked at the papers on her desk, her fingers moving so that her ring tapped against the hard surface, then looked back up at Sean. Do you know where she was going, then? Along that path?

Me? Why would I know where she was going? His face turned a slight shade of pink.

I’m just asking a few questions, Sean, that’s all. Anything you know may prove to be helpful in tracking down the person who did this to her.

"What do you know? What can you tell me? Who killed her?"

Not much at this point, I’m afraid. She was strangled. With her own scarf. Not much of a struggle. Either she knew her assailant or was completely taken by surprise.

Adam remembered the look of surprise frozen on her face. Strangling — that requires some strength, doesn’t it?

Isabel nodded. Most likely a male assailant. Statistically speaking. But we’re keeping our options open at this point.

What can I do to help? Adam tried to bite back the words as soon as he’d said them, but the offer to help had come so naturally to him he hadn’t thought through the consequences.

You? Nothing, for now, Detective Kaminski. You do understand you’re still a suspect? Isabel gave him a stern look.

Of course, I found the body. But I didn’t know her. I have no connection to her.

Perhaps not. But your fiancée does. Ms. Sylvia Stanko? Isabel glanced down at her notes to check the name as she said it.

Does she? I didn’t know.

They were working together on an event later this week, a fundraiser.

Adam nodded. He knew that was why Sylvia was in Galway, just hadn’t known the victim was also involved in the event. So what are you telling me? Don’t leave town? He smiled his most charming smile, exposing his dimples, and Isabel seemed to bend, just a little.

Something like that, yes. She smiled too. But that’s about it. Unless there’s more you can tell me.

Look, if I’m stuck here until you solve this, I might as well help. If Sylvia knew her, worked with her, perhaps I could learn something useful.

Sean let out a low moan and turned back to the window. Isabel and Adam both flinched, but let him be.

I can’t let you get involved, Detective, though I appreciate the offer. You will stay out of this, yeah?

Adam shrugged, an exaggerated movement designed to convey acquiescence.

Isabel nodded at him, then looked back at Sean.

I need her, he mumbled again.

I have a few ideas about where to start. People who knew Moira, who worked with her. She glanced at the clock on the wall. I’ll need to leave now to catch one of them. A man who knows a little bit about everything that goes on in this town. She grinned. Particularly if it’s not quite legitimate.

4

T he council meeting should just be ending. Isabel checked her watch again as she spoke, walking toward the car park. I can catch Conn O’Flaherty there, I’m sure. You should—

Adam!

Isabel and Adam both turned at the call. Isabel scowled at the interruption, but Adam felt his mood lighten as a smile spread across his face, his heart beat a little faster. Sylvia.

She ran toward them across the parking lot and grabbed him, throwing her arms around him. What is going on? What happened? What are you doing here? Why are you in Galway? In Ireland? As she spoke she attacked his face with kisses, covering every inch of exposed skin with tiny pecks.

Sylvia, God am I glad to see you. He held her tight, holding her against himself, forgetting his apprehension about seeing her, forgetting their fights, forgetting everything except how good she looked. How good she smelled. How right she felt in his arms. I’m sorry, I’m so sorry.

You should be sorry, Sylvia responded, stepping back out of his clasp and slapping him lightly on the arm. What the hell were you thinking? And what are you involved in?

He laughed out loud at the dramatic shift in her mood and her questions. Typical Sylvia. Sylvia. He gestured toward Isabel. This is Detective Superintendent Isabel Sayers. Isabel, my fiancée, Sylvia Stanko.

The two women shook hands, but Isabel’s expression reminded Adam of her earlier comment identifying Sylvia as a potential suspect.

Is it true then? Is Moira dead? Sylvia’s eyes moved from one of them to the other. What happened?

That’s what we’re going to figure out. Detective Kaminski— Isabel jerked her head to the side and Adam stepped toward her, away from Sylvia. I’ll need to talk with you again. She looked pointedly at Sylvia. Both of you. With that, she headed toward her car.

Sylvia waited until Isabel was out of earshot before she spoke again. Adam, I still don’t understand. Why are you here and why are you involved in this?

I’m so sorry, I really am. He put his arms around her as he spoke, holding her tight again, trying to dispel the anger he knew she felt. I wanted to surprise you. Honestly, that’s it. And trust me, this is not the surprise I had in mind.

Surprise me with what? She pulled away to look up at him.

Just being here. To see you. I thought we could spend a few days together in Galway, a little vacation or something. He shrugged. You know I wanted to come here, to look up that artist. It seemed the perfect opportunity.

Sylvia nodded and Adam could almost see the calculations going on behind her eyes. That was very sweet of you, darling. But you could have just called me and told me you were coming.

I know. It was meant to be a surprise. I thought…

She held up a hand. I understand. A surprise, a romantic gesture. That is so like you, Adam, always looking for the romantic opportunities. She placed her hand gently on his face. That is why I love you. But a murder? That is not romantic. She smiled as she spoke and Adam ignored the questions and doubts her reaction had raised in him.

Believe me, this was not my idea. I found her body. Last night, when I was coming to find you. He took her arm and walked back down Mill Street toward Bridge Street and the River Corrib. I’m not involved in this. Isabel is handling the investigation. You and I can spend some time together.

No. Sylvia’s response came quickly. Adam felt his doubt rising again but pushed it down. She continued, No, I mean, I’m glad you are here, of course. But I still have my event to plan. It is in just a few days. I will be very busy on this, Adam. She shook her head. "You should have called me, darling. I would have told you to wait a few more days before coming. Then I could spend all my time