Ashes to Ashes by Nathaniel Fincham Read Free Book Online

scene of the crime, but Ashe knew that she would never stay
away while her mother still breathed. And the psychologist had been
right. They walked right up on Claudette Janita Jones as she
approached the front door of the house, a long knife held firmly in
her hand.
    But Scott would not return like that young
killer. He couldn’t say that he knew his son well, but he had been
privy to Scott’s determination whenever he was trying to run. Ashe
was sure that his son was long gone and would never return to the
scene of the crime. He knew it for a fact. After Susanne had died,
Scott found his chance to run to college with scholarship in hand
and never once returned to the scene. Ashe figured that he took
some comfort in the fact that his son didn't run across the
country, only into Youngstown, a stone's throw away. He just never
took advantage of the proximity and reached out, at least not
enough to make a difference. At that moment he regretted it, more
than ever before.
    Still paused, Ashe considered his options.
The rookie might not know him personally, having been away from
police business for quite a few years. Oscar knew him, however, and
how stubborn he could be. His old friend quite possibly had given
the rookie a picture or description of himself, as well.
    “Damn,” Ashe repeated.
    To the left was a little alleyway that seemed
to lead to the other side of the apartment complex. It appeared to
circle around to the back of the building. He wondered if there was
another door. Would that door be covered as well? He pictured
another undercover hanging around the back entrance, harmlessly on
the phone or smoking a cigarette. Once exposed to the undercover,
Ashe would have nowhere to hide. What excuse could he possible
conjure up to explain his being there?
    He considered the option and the possible
exposure and quickly decided to take his chances. The psychologist
took the alley with caution and careful steps. Coming to the
backside of the tall building, he saw there was indeed a single
back door.
    A tall gentleman wearing a dark brown hoodie
stood several feet from the back door, exposed by a single light
hanging from the side of the building. Ashe froze again. He could
see the lit tip of the man’s cigarette, along with the several
butts that had been discarded at the man’s feet. More surveillance,
Ashe realized.
    Ashe didn’t move for many seconds, unsure how
to react. He didn’t step forward nor did he turn back. He was still
as stone. The psychologist watched as the man glanced in his
direction. The undercover officer gave Ashe a brief once over
before turning his attention toward another direction.
    A breath escaped Ashe’s lungs. He shook the
tension from his shoulders and approached the back door. But, as he
got closer to the door he noticed that it had a scanner. A red
light blinked. It was a card reader. And that was when he recalled
that the front doors had one as well. They were the building
owner’s attempt at security. He vaguely remembered them, proving
that he had indeed been there at least once.
    He swore under his breath.
    From the corner of his eye, Ashe watched a
young couple appear, walking toward him. Faking annoyance, he
searched his pockets and wallet for an imaginary entrance card.
When the couple arrived, they were more than happy to let him
in.
    How nice of them. So much for the illusion of
top-notch security.
    Once inside, he quickly made a comment to the
young couple. “Did you hear what happened? Crazy. Right? My son
lives in the building…on the top floor. I’m kind of worried. I hope
he doesn’t mind me coming by so late. I just need to know that he
is okay.”
    The young lady nodded rapidly. “I heard it
was a gang hit.”
    Her boyfriend laughed. “It wasn’t a gang hit.
That’s stupid. Cheating girlfriend…is what I heard. Caught her in
the act.”
    They didn’t know what happened, Ashe assumed.
They were nothing but a part of the rumor river that often ran
through small