Triple Cap

By Roxanna Kay

ROXANNA KAY spent fifteen years as a Private Investigator and Bounty Hunter in the Oklahoma area. She lives life to the fullest with a sense of humor that reflects in her writing. Accused of living life on the edge with her love for adventure and trying new things. Her greatest accomplishment is raising her two children as a single mom. Roxanna Kay and her two children live in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. To read more about this author visit roxannakay.com.
Back Cover Copy Rikki Rankin, a ruthless Private Investigator/Bounty Hunter, is accused of killing Vanessa. Public knowledge of threats Rikki made against Vanessa, along with other evidence stacked-up against her, makes her the prime suspect.

The passion Detective Hayes once felt for Rikki has turned into an obsession to ruin her.

Two friends help her steal a boat so she can elude law enforcement. Betrayed by one of them, she braves the waters of Lake Tenkiller alone.

Rikkis assistant, Grace, finds her beaten and unconscious and joins the quest to clear her name.

Amidst it all, Rikki manages to make a love connection.

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Dec 30, 2009
• ISBN: 9781440197895

Roxanna Kay

ROXANNA KAY spent fifteen years as a Private Investigator and Bounty Hunter in the Oklahoma area. She lives life to the fullest with a sense of humor that reflects in her writing. Accused of living life on the edge with her love for adventure and trying new things. Her greatest accomplishment is raising her two children as a single mom. Roxanna Kay and her two children live in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. To read more about this author visit roxannakay.com.

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Triple Cap

Copyright © 2009 by Roxanna Kay

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, names, incidents, organizations, and dialogue in this novel are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

Back Cover photo by Renee Kinkead

iUniverse

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any Web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

ISBN: 978-1-4401-9788-8 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4401-9789-5 (ebk)

Universe rev. date: 12/23/2009

Contents

Acknowledgements

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

Also by Roxanna Kay…

Blood Hold

Roxanna Kay has brought characters Rikki and Grace back for another engaging investigation.

Would you kill a man to save your life or the lives of others? Private Detective Rikki Rankin is put through the ultimate test - twice. The media has a field day slandering Rikki’s name as she tries to save her client from a killer and murder charges. Throughout the investigation people are murdered and Rikki has to catch the perpetrator before he kills again.

Long time business partner, Grace, quits - with the added strain Rikki becomes a bit irrational.

Rocky Payne has Rikki’s heart tied in knots. She fights the urge to give into the man she deems a player. This brutal investigation has Rikki doubting herself and battling a vengeful heart.

Blood Hold will tug at all your emotions with humor, nearly impossible and heart wrenching circumstances. A fast-paced, pee- in-your-pants mystery that will boost your heart rate.

To my children Chase and Avery,

you have brought so much

love and laughter into my life.

For my mother, Betty Lou West,

I miss you every single day.

You taught me how to laugh. R.I.P.

rk

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Thanks to Chase and Avery for putting up with me while I’m writing. Your love and support has brought me through many trials and tribulations. I cherish our journey through this life that we have shared.

Julie Lovelace, thank you for being my best friend for more years than we are willing to admit. For supporting me in all the crazy notions I fancy. Adventures and men have came and gone but our friendship has endured.

My dad Robert West and sister Robin Guilfoyle, thank you for molding me into who I am today. I’ve migrated all over two countries, but you two have been my anchor, my home.

Cricket Letourneau, you have been there for me at every turn in my life. Instigating…

Joe Nail thanks for being you.

I love you all!

Triple

Cap

1

The silence was so thick in the cab of the truck it blared in Rikki and Grace’s ears. They fell deep into their own thoughts, to drown out the pulse of the silence. The sixth hour of surveillance was always like this - mind-numbing.

In the first hour Rikki and Grace thought of every off the wall scenario possible about their target. They exuded with hope and excitement that any minute he or she would walk out the door.

The second hour was usually spent in some deep conversation while they settled in for the duration.

By the third hour a brief lull in conversation followed by uncontrollable laughter.

Grace, what do you visualize when you hear the name Raymond? Rikki blurted out of nowhere.

I don’t know. I guess Tom Cruise in the movie Rain Man.

I always see a brain floating in a jar. Is that weird?

Uumm…yeah. You ain’t right. I should probably be afraid to be alone with you. Grace hugged the passenger’s side door.

Rikki laughed while Grace gave her the once-over out of the corner of her eye.

That reminds me. You should not tell your daughter you’re gonna get thrown in jail because she threw one of her hairs out the car window. Mallie was scared to death. Grace scolded.

I said if that hair lands on a dead body in the ditch.. would get thrown in jail. They’d run her DNA and find me since she’s my daughter and all of sudden I’d be the guilty one. You know how stupid things can happen. Lord knows you’ve helped me investigate crap like that. Rikki clarified unconvincingly, through her laughter.

Grace didn’t think it was funny but couldn’t keep from laughing. She watched as Rikki laughed harder and harder until she had tears streaming down her face.

Your poor kids…they don’t even know any different just your morbid way of thinking. Grace laughed.

During the fourth hour Grace would try to talk Rikki out of squatting beside the truck. It never did any good.

Rikki, please let’s just go find somewhere with in-door plumbing like civilized folk. I’ve gotta go too.

No way. As soon as we pull away that’s when the target will be on the move. Grab ya a cup if you don’t wanna squat. If we were guys we could use a Gatorade bottle. Rikki didn’t take her eyes off her target’s front door.

I’ll hold it. Grace wouldn’t give in to Rikki’s way of doing things. I don’t know why I even come with you on these things. I hate it.

Because you’re my best friend. Because deep down you really do like it or because it gives you time to tell me all about your latest sexual encounter. I don’t know…I’m guessing here. Rikki was bored so she amused herself by pestering Grace.

You pay me to run your office not run all over God’s creation chasin’ bad guys. I don’t get any work done while I’m with you. Grace looked out the passenger’s side window, she knew Rikki was bored and was antagonizing her.

Here ya go. Rikki handed her a laptop computer.

Shut-up. You act like you’re twelve.

The fifth hour consumed them with bored bickering that never meant anything. And the sixth hour, dead silence.

Seventh hour approaching and Rikki broke the silence.

I’m going on vacation tomorrow! I can’t wait.

I can’t wait either! I’ll be able to concentrate on my stuff. Don’t forget that you have a photo shoot on Monday when you get back from vacation.

That’s right I do. I need to lose ten pounds! How do you stay so skinny? You eat all the time.

You don’t need to lose ten pounds! I don’t skip meals like you do and I’m just smaller boned. Your boobs are bigger.

Yeah they are…thanks. Just hope I can squeeze into the size six they want me to wear.

It’s a hair product who cares what size you wear? They’ll just shoot your hair.

You can sit in for me if I’m too bloated.

I have blonde hair they want brunette. It’ll be fine.

Thanks for comin’ with me. Rikki peeled her eyes away from the target’s door and looked at Grace quickly.

Normally, after eight hours of surveillance Rikki would call it quits or make something happen. This time she got lucky.

There he is! Rikki sat up straight in the driver’s seat of her Chevy Avalanche.

Are you kiddin’ me right now? That man is huge! Grace didn’t like the adrenaline rush half as much as Rikki.

I know…we’ve got the element of surprise though…it’ll be fine. Rikki resembled a kid in a candy store that just spotted the kind of candy she wanted. Don’t move…we don’t wanna call attention to ourselves.

Don’t worry, I never want that man to lay eyes on me. he’s scary. Grace was frozen in the floor of the truck with her head on the seat.

Rikki noticed her voice coming from down under and moved her eyes toward the passenger’s seat. What the hell are you doin’ down there? Rikki giggled at Grace’s fear.

I mean it Rikki. I don’t want that man to see me.

Rikki put the truck in drive and followed her target from a distance. Grace lay in the floor, with her eyes squeezed tightly and prayed.

See right there…this is why I bring you. When you’re with me, you know exactly when to pray. The target turned left into a hole-in-the-wall bar. Rikki turned right.

Why are we stopping?

Sit in the seat like a civilized folk and find out. Rikki was still amused with Grace’s fear.

Rikki pulled over and watched her target go into the bar. Grace finally positioned herself on the passenger’s seat.

Don’t even. Grace knew what Rikki was thinking.

Well you can either…go inside with me…safety in numbers…or you could sit outside in the truck by yourself. Come on it’ll be fun! What do you want your name to be?

After careful deliberation Grace answered, Daisy…cause I have one tattooed on my ankle. Her voice was soft. Rikki knew she was reluctant to participate in the entrapment and then the arrest she was about to perform but she pushed anyway.

You can name me…who do you think I should be?

Well let’s not go with Lacy…Lacy Panties…like you usually do. Jackass or Old Number Seven feels appropriate, right now. I’ve got it…Kitty or Bambi! Grace snickered.

I so resemble a Kitty or Bambi…whateeever. Those names remind me of a girly-girl or a stripper. I kinda like Fancy. Rikki shuddered at the thought of being a girly-girl. When someone asks my name let’s see which one falls out. I’m leaning towards Bambi though. Rikki drove into the parking lot. Come on Daisy, I’ll buy ya a beer. She smiled and leaped out of the truck.

They entered the hole-in-the-wall bar with little expectations. They were not pleasantly surprised. Grace was scared. Rikki had a huge adrenaline rush and immediately looked for her target. She located him sitting at a table close to the one-couple-at-a-time dance floor.

On their way to belly-up to the bar, an old drunken woman grabbed them by the arms. You girls are so beautiful. You could have your pick of the place. She swung her arm around wide as if she were Vanna White showing off a brand new car. Then she smiled exposing one missing tooth, the rest were a dingy brown color.

Rikki and Grace slowly scanned the room in disbelief that such an offer had been made to them. Neither said a word—definitely a rough crowd.

There’s no one in here I want. Grace finally whispered to Rikki leaning into her shoulder, with her hand over her mouth. Rikki thought she spotted a tear in her eye. Giggle.

Rikki let loose a hearty laugh, throwing her head back. Heads turned, and looked the two outsiders up and down.

We’ve got everyone’s attention now. Smile and be friendly. We need to put out an approachable vibe. Besides, I don’t want to shoot anyone tonight. Rikki said to Grace behind her pearly whites. There’s nothin’ funnier than real life! She had a way of seeing the funny side of things, whereas, Grace saw the scarier side of things.

Are you packin’?

Did you really just ask me that? Rikki sneered.

Boot? Grace asked.

Yes ma’am. One in each boot and a knife. Feel better?

As a matter of fact. I do.

Two Bud Lights, Rikki yelled at the bartender. Apparently it’s karaoke night. She snarled at Grace.

I’m gonna stick to you like panties on your ass! Grace hollered above the off-pitch karaoke singer.

Rikki laughed, Relax. Have a good time.

Grace guzzled her beer in an attempt to relax. Rikki merely sipped hers, in an attempt to stay sober but appear to be drinking in abundance.

Would you like to dance? A voice came from behind Rikki and Grace.

Yes I would. Rikki answered without looking to see who asked. She wanted to get closer to her target.

Grace grabbed Rikki’s arm pulling her close. Don’t leave me alone. Her blue eyes were intense, on the verge of tears.

You won’t be alone for long.

That’s what I’m afraid of.

Rikki pranced off to the dance floor. She made eye contact with her target and smiled. His eyebrows raised and he returned a smile.

Damn that guy is e-que (huge). Six foot seven inches and two hundred ninety pounds…wanted for child molestation, child abuse, drug possession, illegal possession of a firearm and assault and battery on a police officer. Rikki swiftly reviewed his file from memory as she danced like no one was watching.

Wa-do (thank you) for the dance it was fun. She said to her dance partner as they returned to the bar and to Grace who was shaking in her boots and not trying to hide it.

I’m gonna dedicate my next song to you two. What’s your name?

I’m Daisy. Grace snapped, anticipating Rikki’s answer.

You can call me Duke. Rikki smiled and tilted her head. Grace’s jaw dropped.