by B K Johnson
Tommy sat down and put a twenty in the machine, and bet 60 cents per try. It didn’t take long before three gold coins appeared. This meant she got to play the bonus round, which consisted of 10 free games. The first six games only gave her a total of $8.40, but the seventh game was the real winner. Three of the iron-clad women and two torches ran across the machine face. Loud music chimed and the numbers running at the top of the screen went from $5 to $10 to $40, finally ending up with $120. That was enough for Tommy. She could use the extra cash, so she again took her ticket out, opting this time to just cash it at one of the many ATM machines on the casino floor. She now held $400, which she wanted to hang on to. Hard to do for an addictive personality, but Tommy could be really disciplined when she wanted to be.
Tommy’s plan for the evening, once she arrived back in San Francisco, was to check out Gina’s and see if she could learn anything concrete about Samantha and Daniella’s relationship. To do that, she knew she would need to have someone accompany her, or be subjected to being hit on at the club. Tommy borrowed Dave’s phone and called Trish first to see if she had plans for the evening. Trish answered on the first ring of her phone, and breathlessly said, “I promise, I will be ready in 10 minutes.”
“Ready for what?” asked Tommy.
Trish laughed her tinkling bell laugh and replied, “I thought you would be Jason. We are going out tonight and he has already called three times to see what time I want to go, where I want to go, and what I am going to wear. You’d think he was a woman!”
Tommy joined Trish in her laughter and queried, “I guess that means you won’t be able to go to Gina’s with me tonight, then, right?” Trish asked Tommy why she was going to the lesbian bar and listened for all of two minutes while Tommy explained a little about the case she was on.
Then Trish said, “OMG, there goes the bell and I am still not ready. I’m sorry babe, but I’ll have to take a rain check and go with you some other time. Jason is here.” Tommy told her not to worry and hung up.
Next she tried Nadine’s number, and lo and behold, Nadine was ecstatic about having something exciting to do that evening. After all, it was Saturday night, and she didn’t want to just sit at home. She told Tommy to give her a call once she was back in the city and she would treat them to a late dinner first at the Prime Rib Palace. That sounded good to Tommy, but she still told Nadine about her casino winnings and offered to pay for dinner. Nadine just laughed, and said Tommy could pay for the drinks at Gina’s. This was funny, since Tommy was a recovering alcoholic and didn’t drink, and Nadine was a purist health nut, so only one glass of red wine was allowed to pass her lips, and then only once a week. “You’re such a cheap date, Nadine,” Tommy laughed.
She grew more serious and thanked Nadine for being such a good sport to agree to spend her evening with girlfriend in a gay club, and hung up the phone gratefully. It was wonderful having two great friends, upon whom she could rely. There’d been a time she’d had hundreds of friends, but that time was long gone. Now she cherished the unbreakable bonds she had with Nadine and Trish, who’d been the only ones other than Dave to stand by her. Before she grew too maudlin, she returned the cell phone to Dave, and excused herself to use the restroom. She washed the few tears from her face and tried to bring a little more life to her now drooping eyes. Tommy then went in search of a coffee mocha at the little bakery in the food court and sat down while she injected herself with the much-needed caffeine.
Having been recharged, Tommy returned to Dave and was surprised to see by her watch that it was already 8:00 p.m. She didn’t want to have to rush to get Dave to the airport and wasn’t sure how the traffic would be to Highway 5, much less how congested that well-traveled highway would be. Tommy told Dave that it was time to get on the road to Sacramento. He checked his own watch and quickly agreed with Tommy’s assessment. He wanted to have plenty of time to check in at the airport.
Dave recognized the wisdom of taking their leave, especially since he was still $100 up and wanted to take some of the casino’s money with him. Tommy still had her stash of $400 and remaining three twenties. She was more than happy to leave with her winnings. Besides, she was facing the drive to Sacramento and then another two hours back to the city. After that, she’d have to keep her wits about her while she questioned the patrons of Gina’s about Samantha’s comings and goings. She was also going to have to have to take a shower and freshen up, and then decide what to wear and which wig to don. All thoughts of the death of Judge Julie vanished into the thin air like smoke.
CHAPTER TEN
Tommy gave Dave a quick peck on the cheek as he exited the passenger side of her Jetta at the airport. He waved and strolled through the automatic door, preparing to pick up a newspaper to keep himself occupied during his three-hour wait before boarding. He was one of those who much preferred getting somewhere way too early than ever risk running late, so it was just 9:30 p.m. when Tommy wound through the maze of vehicles exiting the airport. She pulled onto Highway 5 South and settled in for her jaunt back home to the city. Only 15 minutes later she followed the sign to Highway 80 and was surprised at how few cars there were. The drive was uneventful and rapid, considering that it was a Saturday night. In just one hour she was in a long line at the Bay Bridge toll plaza. She picked up her car phone to let Nadine know she’d be ready about 11:00 p.m. Nadine was already chomping at the bit and raring to go, saying she would drive as Tommy’s done enough driving for the day. Tommy let her know she had decided on the short, spiky black wig, so Nadine would know what she would look like tonight.
After rushing into her loft and through a quick, hot shower, that rejuvenated her completely, Tommy rapidly dried off and selected a short turquoise leather skirt and matching jacket. She firmly attached the spiky wig over her own head of hair, and made up her face with turquoise eye shadow, black eyeliner and mascara, rouge, and bright red lips. Even she barely recognized herself when she stared into her mirror a scant 10 minutes after her arrival home. Tommy quickly sent a short email to Geoff to let him know she would have a preliminary report ready for him on Monday morning. As soon as she closed out of Outlook, she heard Nadine’s blaring honk down below. She peered out the window, waved, shut off the lights, locked her door and ran down the stairs.
Nadine looked luscious in a form-fitting red sweater dress that accentuated her lean figure and rounded breasts. Trish, with her double D breasts and wide hips could never have gotten away with Nadine’s look. Nadine’s blonde hair was done up in a loose bun with strands clinging to her face. Her makeup was muted, since her objective was to have all those women staring at her body, not her face. Nadine took one look at Tommy, and let out a long, slow appreciative whistle. “Man, do you look different,” she gasped. “You look incredible.”
“Thanks, I think,” Tommy whispered. “Is that a compliment, or are you really trying to tell me that I normally look horrid.”
“It’s just that I didn’t think you would look good at all with black hair,” Nadine responded quietly. “And why are we whispering?”
“I use a breathy voice whenever I wear the black wig,” chortled Tommy. “You don’t have to imitate me.”
“Thank goodness for small favors,” Nadine said in her normal contralto.
The best friends took off for the Prime Rib Palace, and had a hurried, if excellent, late evening meal. The restaurant stopped serving at midnight but stayed open for their guests to finish their meals. Tommy elected to have a baked potato with sour cream and chives with her medium prime rib, while Nadine opted for rice pilaf and rare prime rib. The meat was succulent, and they both devoured it all. Tommy was surprised at how hungry she’d been, in spite of the food she’d had to eat in Jackson. Trish was forever telling them how jealous she was they could both eat anything they wanted and not have it show on their figures, Tommy because of her heavy workouts, and Nadine because of her natural metabolism. But in reality, both women admired Trish’s Rubinesque stature. She was the one men stared at m
ore than either of them when they were all together. Her build immediately made men think of bedding her. And it didn’t hurt that she was recognizable, because she was constantly in the news as one of San Francisco society’s most-feted hostesses. She really knew how to throw a party and none of her guests ever left hungry.
Tommy left a $20 cash tip on their table after Nadine signed for the tab with her Visa card. Since they’d both just had water to drink, the bill was just $55.00, and well worth the money. Nadine wanted to know about Judge Olsen’s funeral, and Tommy realized she hadn’t given the Judge’s demise another moment’s thought once she and Dave went into the casino. Tommy guiltily berated herself for not asking some questions of the police while she was up there, but decided she could write down what she really wanted to know and give them a call on Monday after she met with Geoff. Then she filled Nadine on the memorial service and banquet.
Once they arrived at Gina’s, Tommy’s morose mood over her failure to investigate the Judge’s death lifted. How could it not, when Nadine pulled over across from the club and Tommy recognized Samantha’s Caddy. That meant her quarry was already here and her plan could be put in motion. Besides, Nadine was bouncing around in her seat, getting all excited about shuffleboard and pool. “You’d think you had a hot date here, rather than just a chance to play some games,” shot Tommy.
“Honey, everything is a game to me,” drawled Nadine in her best Mae West imitation. They joined hands and took off across the street without even looking. A black Continental came roaring past them, the driver laying on its horn. “Whew,” sighed Nadine. “That was really close. We are going to have to pay better attention to the rules tonight, sweet cheeks.”
“Sweet cheeks?” grumbled Tommy. “Whatever possessed you to call me that?”
“Lighten up, sugar. We are going to party,” giggled Nadine. “By the way, what am I supposed to call you tonight? she queried.
“I’ll be Tammy and you can be Dena, ok?” suggested Tommy. “That will be a lot easier for each of us to remember.”
“Okay,” agreed Nadine, “but I think I’ll still throw in a few sweet cheeks for good measure.”
Tommy opened the door to the bar and let Nadine precede her. Several heads turned their way at the fresh air being let into the smoky room, all of them giving Nadine a languid once-over. Then Tommy came in and the heads swiveled in her direction. The turquoise leather clung to her thighs, hips and breasts, and she affected a slight hippy sway to her walk instead of her normal athletic stride. The two went directly up to Gina, who recognized Nadine, but not Tommy in her getup. It helped that they dropped some names of friends they knew who regularly patronized the establishment, and as a result were easily granted entry.
One of those who stared at Tommy a little longer than the rest was Samantha, who was seated at a table on the righthand side of the bar. Daniella was on her left and held her hand possessively around Samantha’s waist. Two other women, a little older than the majority of partygoers, were chatting amiably with Daniella while Samantha kept her attention on Tommy. Nadine led them to a table in the middle of the room, just slightly over from Samantha and Daniella’s.
Tommy had already filled Nadine in on their looks, and she unerringly identified the women Tommy wanted to observe tonight. As she passed by Daniella’s chair, she bumped into it just slightly, and in her best Southern belle accent said, “Oh, sugah. Forgive me, please. I guess I’m just a wee bit tipsy tonight. Maybe Ah’ll just have to have coffee for a while.”
Daniella smiled sweetly at Nadine, but responded sarcastically while imitating her drawl, “Not to worry, dahling.”
Nadine ordered a coffee from the buxom waitress whose top was so low it was almost exposing her nipples. Tommy ordered a ginger ale. They looked around the room and saw a few of the women dancing as couples in the larger area of the floor, while others were playing shuffleboard and pool. Nadine sipped her coffee when it arrived, and boldly told Tommy she was going to put up a quarter at the pool table, and asked, “Do you want to play, Tammy?” Tommy looked at her like she was nuts, and then remembered their aliases. She said she would wait awhile and told “Dena” to go on about her gaming without her.
It didn’t take Samantha 15 minutes before she sat herself down in Nadine’s vacated chair and started the twenty questions with Tommy. “What is your name? Where are you from? What do you do? I haven’t seen you here before, is this your first time?” Etc., etc.
This wasn’t what Tommy had expected. She had hoped to just listen in to the conversation to her right and glean what other information she could about Samantha’s proclivities. Having Samantha approach her so directly was a little unnerving. Still, Tommy answered her questions smoothly and tried subtly to let Samantha know she was interested. Up close and personal, Tommy could really see what Geoff liked about Samantha. She was friendly, sweet, alluring, and totally vulnerable. “She could be led around by anyone,” thought Tommy.
When Samantha patted Tommy’s hand, however, things took a turn for the worse. Daniella exploded from her chair and came over to Tommy, yelling,” What do you think you’re doing, bitch? Leave my woman alone!” Samantha got to her feet and calmed Daniella, soothing her ruffled feathers and intimating she was just trying to get to know a first-timer to Gina’s. Tommy had to steel herself, because her first reaction had been to stand up and plant a fist in Daniella’s offending mouth. Instead she sat sedately and let Samantha do the work in calming Daniella down.
They went back to their table, with Samantha nodding an “I’m sorry” look to Tommy. Tommy shrugged her shoulders nonchalantly, and got up to go join Nadine, who was now taking on all comers at the pool table. By the time Tommy turned around, Daniella and Samantha were leaving the bar. “Shit,” she thought. “All duded up and thrown out at first base.” Rather than take Nadine away from being “queen of the pool table,” Tommy resumed her seat and began to think Samantha’s relationship with Daniella was a lot more than Geoff had bargained for. Certainly, Samantha was not the one in the driver’s seat, literally and figuratively.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
The Doer luxuriated in being home in Hawaii, having taken up residence for the last two weeks in the deceased Maile’s vacant Kailua home. At long last, the Doer truly enjoyed settling in at one location, rather than traveling all over the globe performing as a hula dancer in an international halau. While all the travel and attention had been enjoyed, the power of connecting with the roots springing up from Hawaiian soil had been underestimated. Since the Doer had paid for the Kailua home many years ago, title passed to the actual owner upon Maile’s death. There’d been no reason to change the title to it, the better to hide all locations and assets.
Now was the time, after having had the respite of doing nothing, the Doer shrugged into a tight-fitting beige suit. Using a simple disguise so no one would be able to give an accurate description, the Doer left the home and headed for Waikiki. Parking at the Ala Moana shopping center left only a few blocks walk to the site of the destination, a Korean bar called Kiki’s right next to a pornographic bookstore.
It took no time at all to be recognize Larry Young, assistant district attorney in Honolulu. He was known to frequent the bar. Kiki’s was the only bar of questionable legitimacy that he allowed himself to patronize. The establishment was known for its beautiful Korean women who took turns sitting in the laps of their customers while the gentlemen watched the machinations of its star performer, Lani. Of course, the hostesses wore no panties, not even thongs, which guaranteed that the customers would be aroused enough to spend lots of money in the bar. Nothing illegal in that, or the act that soon took center stage. In the darkened bar, only the star performer, Lani, was lit up.
Lani’s performance was not so much as a dance as it was an incredibly different acrobatic act. She contorted herself into erotic positions, all showing off a petite and limber body. Her coup de grace was in a class by itself. She was the only stripper in the known world who could take a silver
dollar into her vagina and make change. Four quarters would be expelled one at a time within two minutes of her accepting the silver dollar from a willing patron and placing it with a great deal of flair inside herself. It was this act that Larry could never seem to get enough of. Not that he didn’t enjoy the attentions of the hostesses, because he did. But most importantly, he returned quite often because he just couldn’t fathom how Lani accomplished her performance. He never hesitated to bring friends into the bar to have them be as amazed as he was.
The Doer was ecstatic to find that ADA Young was in the bar tonight – quite fortuitously. It had been anticipated that it would take a few months for the Doer to lay eyes on him. Larry, as he was familiarly known at Kiki’s, was in his customary seat at the left side of the stage. The Doer watched him for quite a while as the different hostesses took turns amusing him, and then concentrated as soon as he fully focused his smoldering brown eyes on Lani as she took the stage. His attention to Lani never wavered. Almost anything could have transpired inside the popular establishment and he would not have been aware of it. He remained transfixed for the entire performance, never even taking notice when the Doer sat down next to his table.
Larry Young only stayed a short hour at Kiki’s. Once Lani was finished with her act, she went down to sit next to him and they chatted for a little while. Then Larry got up to leave. The Doer nodded in recognition and Larry nodded back, sure he knew this person from somewhere or other. No attempt was made to approach him that night. The Doer had no idea the ADA would be present, so no weapons were hidden within the silk suit. But even without an introduction, the Doer was already firmly fixed within Attorney Young’s mind as an acquaintance he might like to know better in the future.
