The Girls Across the Bay

by Emerald O'Brien

  He knows there was something between them. That Mickey cared for her?

  “In the report, she claims you squeezed her arm so tight, you left a bruise,” Mac said. “There’s evidence of it.”

  “I never hurt her,” Mickey said, zoning out, still staring at the table.

  “Is there anyone you can think of who wanted to hurt Lily?” Mac asked.

  “Her boyfriend,” Mickey said, looking up at Mac. “He’s a piece of shit.”

  “We’re not saying anything else without a lawyer present,” the other man said, then put his arm around Mickey’s shoulder and squeezed his neck. “It’s for the best, Mick.”

  “Were you having sexual relations with Lily during her relationship with John Talbot?” Mac asked.

  Mickey waved to the bouncer. “Show them out.”

  He’s shutting down. I need more from him. He didn’t ask for the lawyer—his friend did.

  The bouncer nodded and took a step toward them.

  The fight on seventh…

  “When did you last see John?” Grace asked.

  Both men stared up at her.

  “He still comes in here for a drink once in a while,” the other man said.

  “I don’t speak to that prick,” Mickey said.

  “Fair enough,” Grace nodded. “I ask because he was involved in an altercation on the road in front of your establishment here. Did you know anything about that?”

  Mickey frowned, his stoic look replacing any bit of expression from his face.

  “Who won?” Mickey asked.

  “Pardon?” Grace asked.

  “Who won the fight? I hope he got the shit beat out of—”

  “That’s enough,” the man beside him said. “Get them outta here.”

  “Thank you for your time,” Grace said.

  She started back toward the stairs before the bouncer made a move and Mac followed her.

  As they left the building, her head throbbed from the music, but her heartbeat slowed down to normal.

  “I’ll take you back to your car,” Mac said before they got into his.

  She wanted to discuss Mickey’s reaction with Mac, but she knew there was no use running scenarios by him. He wanted to stick to the facts, but Grace used everything she had to solve a case.

  Facts weren’t always as clean-cut as they seemed.

  They rode back to Tall Pines in silence, and when they got to John’s house, she unbuckled her seatbelt.

  “Thanks,” she said.

  “Meet back here in the morning before we pay John a visit,” Mac said.

  “What time?”

  “Six,” he said.

  She nodded and stepped out of the car.

  “Hey,” he called, and she bent down. “I told you that was my line of questioning.”

  And I told you it wasn’t a good idea to go so soon.

  She leaned against the car door and readjusted her jacket.

  There’s no point in arguing.

  He didn’t care what I thought.

  He still won’t.

  “Sorry,” she said.

  “Why’d you do it anyway?”

  “I wanted to know about the fight John was in. I think it’s important.”

  “Next time, don’t try to be a hero. They’re dangerous men.”

  She stood and rolled her eyes.

  If you read my whole undercover file, you’d have an idea of the kind of company I kept.

  She walked to her car and got in, glancing at her rearview mirror. Mac waited until she started her car before turning back up the road.

  I’m not a liability. I can follow direction. I’ll prove it tomorrow.

  I have to prove it.

  Chapter Six

  After tipping the cold remnants from her fourth cup of coffee into her mouth, Madigan re-read everything she’d written. She had managed to dig up some more facts on the victim, Lily Martin. She found information on Lily’s new career as a realtor and pictures of her on Facebook with friends and family—even a few with John.

  But she couldn’t find much on John Talbot. No Facebook page of his own, though Lily had posted some about him and their relationship.

  As Madigan scrolled through the pictures, something about John felt familiar.

  He worked at Thom’s Tackle, that much she’d gleaned from Facebook, but the shop itself had no website, just an address on Google.

  Thane couldn’t have identified the victim or the fiancé, and being ahead of the game should have set her at ease, but she wanted to know more about Lily and John.

  Why does John look so familiar?

  “You’re here early,” Thane said as he passed her cubicle.

  “I’ve been here all night,” she mumbled.

  Three-thirty in the morning. She’d made it through without nodding off.

  “I suppose it takes you much more time and effort to craft some semblance of a story,” Thane said, smiling. “It might do you some good to compare your story to mine on the front page, just see where you went wrong with yours since you disappeared earlier while I tried to give you a lesson in journalism.”

  “You’re just mad I decided to go it alone,” Madigan said.

  “No, I think your writing needs improvement, and since we covered the same story, you can compare and note where yours was weaker. It’ll help next time.”

  “There is no next time,” Madigan said, gathering her papers.

  She didn’t need Thane getting any ideas from her work.

  “Well, I’m off to write front page news,” Thane said, his deep voice echoing through the empty office.

  “The higher the horse, the farther the fall,” Madigan muttered and turned back to her article.

  With the quote from the chief of police, the I.D. and info on John Talbot and Lily Martin, not to mention Dot’s quotes—this has to be enough.

  As Cindy passed her desk on her way in, she emailed her the article for edits and a copy to Ornella to approve.

  Ornella’s heels clicked down the hall, and she walked straight past Madigan.

  “Good morning to you, too,” Madigan muttered.

  Her cell buzzed. Will’s name lit up the screen.

  “Hi.”

  “Hey, babe,” he said, his voice sleepy. “I woke up, and you still weren’t home. Just checking on you.”

  “I’m at the office. It’s been a long day—well, night—and I’m hoping to come home in an hour or so and cuddle up with you until you have to go in.”

  “Erhm,” he said, the duvet cover rustling in the background. “I have to go in now.”

  “Ah, alright. Rain check for tonight then.” She leaned back in her chair.

  “I wanted to tell you in person, but since you weren’t home,” he cleared his throat, “that good news I have? I’ve been asked to speak at the twenty-first annual society of surgery conference next July.”

  “Oh, wow,” Madigan sat up, rubbing at her eyes. “Congratulations, babe. That’s amazing.”

  “I’ve gone every year since I started medical school, and now I’m the one speaking.”

  The excitement in his voice made her smile.

  “I’m thrilled for you, babe. We’ve got to celebrate.”

  “About that. I told my mom last night, and she and my dad want to have dinner. Here. Tomorrow night.”

  “Oh.”

  The Rosenbergs had avoided her the first and only time they’d met at Will’s father’s retirement party, and since, he’d passed messages to her for his mother.

  Mom says hi.

  Mom wondered if she could have your email to send you a recipe she knows I love. She wishes you’d cook for me more.

  My mom was terrified when I told her I rode your bike this weekend. She says you should trade it in for a sensible car.

  That had been the last straw, and Madigan stopped pretending to be sorry for refusing each time Will asked about getting together with them.

  “Babe?”

  He expects me to say no, but he
deserves better.

  “Oooh, well, good idea,” she said. “Let’s do that.”

  “And they’d like us to invite your parents too. They’ve never met, and it’s kind of a big deal to them.”

  Not again.

  “I’ve told you, Will. They’re away.”

  “Again? I’m sorry, I guess I forgot. Well, could you invite them and then we’ll go from there?”

  Sure, if you want me to reunite with my parents for the first time in almost a year at your family dinner. For them to fly in from Florida on a day’s notice to meet the parents of a man they’ve never heard of. Why not?

  She cleared her throat and leaned back in her chair, taking a deep breath.

  It’s not his fault I haven’t told him.

  He would try to understand, but with a life like his, how could he?

  How could he know what it’s like to be abandoned by the only parents who ever loved you—whom you loved, too?

  “Will, I’m so proud of you and your accomplishments. I can’t wait to show you off to my parents, but it’ll have to be another time.”

  “I understand. I’ll let my mom know. See you tonight?”

  “Sounds good. Have a great day and congrats again.”

  “You too,” he said, then hesitated. “Bye.”

  What else did he want to say?

  “Madigan?” Cindy called from her cubicle.

  Madigan pressed end and set her cell phone down before rushing over to Cindy’s cubicle.

  “What is it?” Madigan asked. “Is it good? Oh, no, it’s bad, isn’t it?”

  Cindy smiled up at her. “It’s the best thing you’ve ever written. Thane’s just came in. About to read his.”

  Madigan nodded. “Thanks, Cin. I’m going to go see Ornella. See what she thinks.”

  As Madigan approached Ornella’s office, muffled voices from the other side of the closed door made her hesitate.

  “…will be great,” Ornella said.

  “Thank you,” Thane said with a smile in his voice. “And thanks for the tip.”

  So that’s how he knew about the crime scene.

  “Anything for our best writer,” Ornella said in a higher voice than usual.

  “Okay, well, I’m sure Cindy will have it edited and back to you shortly,” he said, then opened the door.

  “Morning, Ornella,” Madigan said. “I just wanted to see if you’d had time to read my piece?”

  “Not yet. Actually, could you both sit down? I see it’s in my inbox.”

  “Sure,” Madigan said, and she and Thane took their seats.

  Ornella clicked her mouse a few times. “Now you understand, if I’d known about this, I’d have put you on the story together. Had you working for Thane. Two articles? How impractical.”

  Madigan cocked her head to the side and stifled her grin.

  If she’d known. Come on.

  You didn’t see me coming, and you hate me for it.

  “I told Ornella I’m happy to have you tag along with me next time,” Thane said as Ornella concentrated on the screen. “I told her you insisted on going it alone.”

  “That’s right,” Ornella scrolled. “Thane’s story was great. As usual.”

  “Thank you,” he nodded, winking at Madigan.

  Madigan rolled her eyes and crossed her legs.

  “Right,” Ornella nodded. “Madigan, let’s see what you’ve got here.”

  Madigan folded her hands in her lap. Ornella squinted behind her glasses, reading line after line, her head stopping a few times. Her eyes opened wide, and she peered over the screen.

  “Knox, you spoke with the victim’s fiancé?”

  Madigan nodded, and Thane turned to her. “How?” he scoffed. “When?”

  “When he came out of the house,” Madigan said.

  “You’ve identified the victim,” Ornella’s voice raised in pitch as she spoke. “Ah, you’ve added some flavour in here with a quote from the neighbour. Interesting.”

  “When did you speak to a neighbour?” Thane whispered.

  “After I spoke to John Talbot.” Madigan smiled.

  Thane frowned and pulled his head back in a swift motion.

  He can’t believe it.

  “That’s the name of the vic’s fiancé, Thane,” Madigan said.

  Ornella pursed her lips and leaned back in her chair.

  “This was some good investigative work, Madigan.” She nodded to her. “You’ve identified the victim and likely one of the suspects.”

  Thane’s head turned back and forth between her and Ornella.

  “Thank you. I’m hoping this means my story gets the front page, and I can include the article about Tall Pines Elementary?”

  “Oh, we’ll run your school article.” Ornella nodded.

  Madigan sat forward in her chair, squeezing her hands together and smiling.

  “I’ll let Cindy know to include it,” Ornella said. “You definitely brought me something interesting that the people of Tall Pines will be eager to read—after Thane works his magic on it. I’d like Thane to take the notes from your article, apply it to his, and you’ll both have your name on it.”

  Madigan rubbed her brow. “Seriously?”

  “Furthermore, I’d like you to work on this story together. I want to know more about Lily Martin. I want to know who this John Talbot is. I want to know how she died.”

  “My article—” Madigan said, hesitating.

  My article is better, isn’t it? It has the important parts.

  Is it still not good enough?

  “I don’t want you to focus on the writing, Knox,” Ornella said. “I want you to focus on getting the story. On working together for the common good.”

  You want to use me to get the scoop.

  “I can do that,” Thane said.

  “My name will be on everything?” Madigan asked.

  Ornella nodded. “Of course, along with Thane’s.”

  “And I’ll be able to have just as much say on our investigation as Thane?” she asked.

  “Well, yes, you’re both assets to this story,” Ornella said.

  “Fine.” Madigan stood.

  She strode out of the office and stopped by Cindy’s cubicle.

  “She’s going to run the Tall Pines Elementary piece,” she said.

  “Oh.” Cindy clasped her hands together. “That’s great. What about—”

  “I don’t want to talk about it,” Madigan said. “I’m going to contact the lunch lady and let her know to look out for the article.”

  “You need sleep,” Cindy noted.

  “I’ll see you tomorrow.” She went back to her cubicle and grabbed her bag and helmet before shuffling her way to the door.

  “Knox,” Thane called down the hall, “congrats on finally making the front page.”

  She pushed through the front door.

  “Hey, listen, I’ve made it seem like us working together is alright with me, but it’s not ideal for me either, alright?” Thane said, following her out. “You’re not exactly easy to work with.”

  “And you are?” She laughed.

  He opened his mouth to speak, but she interrupted.

  “I don’t care whether you like me or not,” she said.

  I’m not giving this one up.

  “Likewise,” he said.

  “How do we do this?” she asked, stopping in front of her bike.

  “This afternoon, I’m going to the station to see if there’s an update. Another official statement, or a press release coming out soon. Want to come?”

  Does he realize I’m an asset now, too, or is he placating Ornella like I am?

  She nodded. “Give me a call, alright? I’m going to get some sleep.”

  “Sure. Hey, and I meant it. Good work.”

  “Thanks,” Madigan said, turning away from him to hide her grin.

  Thane jogged back inside, and she turned to watch him go, wondering if there was a better chance of doing the story justice together.

&
nbsp; I’m not going to be his lackey.

  If he gets in the way of my investigation, I’ll leave him in the dust again.

  Chapter Seven

  Grace hesitated at the bottom of the driveway.

  She expected to see Mac’s car in front of John and Lily’s home, but a man in a patrol car sat in front of the house instead. It was the man from the night before, but she’d forgotten his name.

  “Hi.” She waved.

  He waved back.

  Before she started down the path to the door, she turned around, remembering the movement of the curtains the night before, and crossed the street to make good use of her time.

  The officer’s already been here, but I should hear it firsthand.

  The door opened, and a short woman with curly white hair stuck her head out.

  “Good morning, Ma’am. I’m Detective Inspector Grace Sheppard. I’m working with the Tall Pines Police Department on the case across the street. I was wondering if you saw anything last night? Anything that could help us with our investigation?”

  “I already told that officer across the street and a nice reporter who came by last night that I fell asleep just after eight, but before then, I saw John leave across the road there.”

  “And you’re sure about the time?”

  The woman nodded. “That’s when my show comes on.”

  “Thank you, Ma’am. Is there anything else you remember?”

  “Just waking up to see the police across the street,” she said, fussing with her hair.

  “And your name?”

  “Dorothy Hutchins.”

  “Thank you for your cooperation, Dorothy. If you remember anything else, here’s my card.”

  A car rumbled down the road behind her, and Mac’s car slowed in front of the house.

  “Well, alright then,” she said and started to shut the door.

  “Ms. Hutchins?” Grace asked. “Did you ever hear any fighting from over there or see anything odd between John Talbot and Lily Martin?”

  Dorothy frowned. “About a week ago, I guess, I could hear them shouting. Windows were open, and I guess they didn’t know that voices carry on this quiet street. Didn’t last long. I haven’t seen anything else. They mostly keep to themselves. She’s really dead?”

  Grace nodded.