by Jim Riley
Donna looked the verge of tears. "I'm so sorry, Miss Niki. But the guy on the phone made me think he was Mr. Stroud. I—"
Robinson poked her playfully. "It's all right, child. Even us old folks with one foot in the grave were young once and made stupid mistakes."
Donna turned on a torrent of tears.
Niki frowned at Drexel. The senior investigator had nothing to say in his defense, a rare occurrence. She walked to the other side of the desk and put her arm around the young lady.
"Don't worry about it. We know now we were being played all along. The real question is why someone was willing to go to this extreme." She continued to embrace Donna.
Drexel rose, pacing up and down. Niki remained by Donna’s side, consoling her new friend.
"I've got it," Ricky said loud enough to get the attention of the other detectives.
"What is it?" Niki asked.
"The phone calls came in while you were talking to Bailey at the jail, if I'm not mistaken," he said.
"It was while I talked to Billy and Sara Sue, but it wasn't at the jail. We were at Frank's. Then I dropped by the high school," Niki replied.
"That fits my theory even better. Who was at the bail hearing?"
"The other coaches. A lot of parents. I didn't recognize most of them, but I met with a couple of them since."
"Where were you sitting?" He asked.
"Next to Sara Sue. She was having a hard time coping with everything happening."
"And those parents and coaches saw you sitting with the coach's wife?"
"The courtroom isn’t that big. They had to see me sitting there."
"They had plenty of time to get a plan together that would distract us and take your attention away from finding the truth about Bailey." Drexel grinned as he revealed his theory.
"But how did they know that Keith and Josie were my clients? Nobody could've found out about them in such a short time," Niki retorted.
"Unless—" Drexel shifted his focus to Donna. "Did anyone come by the office that morning? Phone repairman? Electrical guy?"
Another stream of tears.
"I forgot with everything happening. I absolutely forgot. A guy came by to make sure our computers were virus free. He said he came as part of the warranty. I didn't think anything of it."
"What did he look like?" Niki asked.
"It was hard to tell. He kept looking at the floor, but he was tall. Taller than Drexel." Donna replied.
"My guess is he was about six feet three inches, a little overweight, and some gray in his black hair," Wendy stated.
"That's close, but I wasn't paying that much attention. Do you know someone who looks like that?"
Niki answered for him.
"Sleazy Slocum. I don't believe it. He came into my office and looked at my case files on my computer."
"Doesn't take a genius to figure out why. The one case with his wife wasn't enough. Another case at the same time would take time away from the Bailey case."
Niki rose neared Robinson. "It makes sense. Only whoever hired him didn't know that Donna was also an investigator. That put a cramp in their plans."
"But how did they get Mr. Washington to go along?" Donna asked.
"They didn’t. Washington didn't know about the potential investment until you told him," Niki replied.
"Who hired Mr. Slocum?" Donna asked.
"That's what we need to find out. First, we can find out the why, then the who will be obvious."
"Do you think Slocum killed Washington and the girl?" Drexel asked.
"Sure. What better alibi could he have? You were watching him at the hotel while the murderers were being committed. That's pretty solid."
"But I wasn't watching him. I was giving it my best shot, but he was a step ahead of me." Drexel said, though it was hard for him.
"But you saw him arrive at the hotel, and you didn't see his truck missing until after the murders were committed. Sounds like an airtight alibi to me," Niki sat in her chair.
"How will we find out who is paying him?" Donna asked, wiping the tears away.
"He'll make a mistake," Niki pause. "Or his client will. But it's also a blessing."
"How so?" Donna asked.
"We only have one case, not three."
Drexel scoffed. "That only means you have three cases that aren’t paying you. You still have to pay us even though you’re gonna lose a lot of money on this thing, no matter the outcome."
"There's more to life than money," Niki declared.
"That's a good theory. But when you run out of one, you hope you don't have much left of the other." Ricky replied.
37
Central High School
Jimbo Wax admitted Flavia Foster into his office. The student looked like she would rather be taking a final exam than sitting with the assistant coach.
"Come in. Take a seat."
Flavia did as she was told. There cheerleader could not look Wax in his eyes, but became suddenly interested in her feet.
Jimbo waited for her to say something. She did not.
"You wanted to see me," he said. "I can’t help you if you don't tell me how."
Flavia looked up, her lips quivering. "Coach Bailey got me pregnant."
"Are you sure?" Jimbo blurted before realizing how his question would sound.
"If you mean if I'm sure that I'm pregnant, then the answer is yes. I took three of those home tests, and all three were positive."
Wax was not sure how to phrase the next question. He decided on the direct approach.
"How do you know Coach Bailey is the father? Why not Steve? You guys have been dating."
"I'm not a slut." Fire erupted from Flavia's eyes. Then she buried her head again.
"I didn't say that you were, but you and Steve have been dating for years. It's only natural—"
Flavia picked up her head. "That doesn't mean that we do what everybody else does. We wanted to wait until we were married before we took the next step."
"I commend both of you. That had to be a hard decision."
The teen said nothing.
"How long have you known?" Jimbo asked.
"I found out last week. I took the test three days in a row to be sure," Flavia replied.
"What do you want to do?"
"I want to kill him. I hope he rots in hell for what he did to me," she answered.
"Okay. So why tell me?"
"Because I'm thinking about getting an abortion, and I don't want anyone to know. I went to the clinic, and they said I had to have an adult sign off on it."
"Wouldn't that be your father or mother? I'm sure they are in a better position than me to approve this," Jimbo said.
"I don't want them to find out. It would kill my mom if she knew. If I tell my dad, he would tell Mom," Flavia replied.
"But wouldn't that be illegal?" Jimbo asked.
"The lady at the clinic said it wasn't. She said I'd be surprised at how many teenagers get abortions without their parents’ knowledge. That's why they accept any adult signature."
"Why me?" Wax asked.
"Because I trust you. You won't tell anyone about it. There aren't many adults I can trust."
Jimbo was happy that the cheerleader trusted him with her secret. The truth was the freshman coach, Ricky Delrie, had already told him. The revelation was no secret.
38
Baton Rouge
Drexel Robinson once again followed the Ford F150 belonging to John David "Sleazy" Slocum from Zachary to the hotel. This time, he made no attempt to be discreet. He stayed no more than two car lengths behind his target at all times.
When Slocum pulled into a space in the parking garage access next to the hotel, Drexel watched him exit the vehicle and walk to the other side. The detective followed him across to the elevator. Drexel waited for Slocum to take the down elevator and then took the next one. When he entered the lobby, Drexel searched the entire opening without seeing Slocum. Not finding him, he caught the eye of Donna Cross s
itting in a chair facing the elevators.
"Where did he go?" Drexel asked after rushing over next to Donna.
"I never saw him," Donna replied.
"You had to see him. He came down that elevator not more than two minutes ago." Drexel was losing his patience.
"I swear. I've been watching that door for the last thirty minutes, ever since you called and told me Slocum was on the move. Nobody close to his description came out."
"Are you sure? Did you go to the restroom or the gift shop?"
Donna turned red. "I told you already. Nobody looking like Mr. Slocum came out of that elevator. I've been watching it from that chair the whole time. I may be young, but I can still see."
Drexel softened his voice. "Calm down. I'm just frustrated. I trust you."
"Thanks. I needed that," Donna said as she hugged the older man.
39
Baton Rouge
Niki watched the white Ford sedan exit the parking garage. She slid down behind the steering will, but not before recognizing Sleazy Slocum as the driver. The sedan passed her and turned back west on Florida Boulevard, away from the Mississippi River.
When the vehicle was out of sight, Niki made a quick U-turn, and fell in three or four cars behind Slocum. Her Ford Explorer did not stand out on the busy highway.
She maintained surveillance until Slocum reached a major intersection and took a right turn. She followed, although he was some distance ahead. The two vehicles stayed on a weaving path until they reached College Drive leading to the LSU campus.
Niki thought about going past Slocum and picking him up again before he reached the maze of streets surrounding the University campus. But as she was considering that, Slocum turned left on Corporate Boulevard.
She quickly switched lanes and barely made it through the intersection before the light turned red. She lost his car for a moment. Then she spotted it pulling into a parking lot of one of the better restaurants in Baton Rouge, Mansur's on the Boulevard.
Niki and her fiancé, Senator Dalton Bridgestone, dined there several times a month when he was in town. It was one of their favorite places to eat, if not their most favorable.
She pulled in the parking lot and found a space on the side of the restaurant next to Home Suites Hotel. The lot was almost full, even at this early hour. The private investigator was confident her vehicle would not be easily noticed.
While she was waiting, she called Drexel’s cell and told him about Slocum changing cars at the hotel. After listening to the senior investigator groan for a minute, she instructed him and Donna to meet her at the restaurant. She did not want to lose Slocum again.
Twenty minutes later, two cars pulled into the lot, but had to park in the Home Suites area because the restaurant lot was completely full. Drexel and Donna walked across the few feet of grassy area and climbed into the SUV. Donna got the honor of sitting in the front seat.
"I guess this explains why I missed him in the hotel. He never went inside." Drexel said.
"You’ve got to hand it to him. That's a slick move. I wonder who he is meeting with in there," Niki responded.
"You haven't been in?" Donna asked.
"No. He knows what I look like from the previous cases. He also knows what you look like because he saw you at the office."
"I reckon that means I volunteer to go inside and try to spot the elusive Mr. Slocum," Drexel said from the back seat.
"Heckuva deduction, Sherlock. You might make it as a detective after all," Niki laughed.
Robinson went back to his car and added a tie and snug hat to his wardrobe. He winked at the ladies when he again passed by the SUV. When he got to the door, he gave one last tug on his tie and entered.
The attractive hostess could not have been more than twenty years old, but she had all the assets required of the job. Thick flowing hair. Curves in all the right places. Unblemished skin. An infectious smile. Drexel wondered if there might be an opening at Wildcat Investigations that required those skill sets. If not, he thought, there should be. He would have to mention that to Niki if this case did not cause her to go bankrupt and lose the firm.
The alluring young lady flashed a becoming smile as soon as Drexel stepped inside.
"How may I help you?"
Robinson thought of a number of ways, but most of them he dared not verbalize. At least not in this setting.
"Is it possible that you have a table available?" He asked.
"Sorry, we have a lot of people ahead of you with reservations. One of our sous chefs called in sick. We’re running about forty minutes behind. Would you like a seat at the bar?"
He nodded.
“That will be great. First, I have to visit the restroom.”
She flashed the engaging smile again and pointed through the entrance to the main dining area.
"Right that way."
Robinson walked past the hostess, inhaling the seductive lure of her perfume. He moved with his head facing forward, but could visualize every table.
Back in the far corner, Drexel spotted Sleazy Slocum sitting at a table along, the menu covering most of his face. The detective remained focused on the hallway to the restrooms, bringing no notice to himself.
On his way back, he confirmed Slocum was still at the table with no other diners. When he reached the hostess station he stopped.
"My apologies, Madame. I received a call moments ago that requires my immediate attention. Perhaps on another occasion."
He made a slight bow, soaked up the tantalizing scent emanating from the pleasant hostess, and exited the restaurant. When he arrived at Niki's Ford Explorer, he was still grinning like a boy after a successful raid of the cookie jar.
Niki laughed. "I can tell you met Lisa."
"Who?” Drexel feigned. "My attention was entirely on our target tonight."
"Why do I get the feeling your target changed when you saw Lisa?"
"Do you mean that innocent lass with the girlish figure? I barely noticed."
"So why are you drooling all over your tie?"
Donna giggled. "She's way too young for an old fart like you. You wouldn't have a chance."
Drexel straightened his tie. "Never underestimate the advantages of experience over the trappings of youth. Lisa might need some personal tutoring."
"Did you take your eyes off of her long enough to find Slocum?" Niki asked.
"I believe that was my charge. He is seated alone in the main dining area. Mr. Slocum was already scanning a menu. I do not expect he is awaiting company."
"Did he see you?" Niki inquired.
"Not a chance. I used my vast experience to elude any possibility of detection," He responded.
"Let's wait him out and see what happens. He didn't dodge you at the hotel for no reason. He's got something up his sleeve."
All three investigators leaned back in their seats, each occupied by their own thoughts. They waited in silence for another fifteen minutes.
"Movement at the ten o'clock," Drexel announced.
A young man dressed in all white stepped out of the rear door. He quickly lit a cigarette while looking around. He seemed to pay no attention to the three detectives in the Ford Explorer.
When he finished the smoke, the young man went back inside. They waited for another twenty minutes, watching diners come and go with no sign of Sleazy Slocum.
Then the same young man who had taken a smoke break came through the front door. He carried a large bag with both hands. The youngster walked directly to Niki's SUV to the driver’s side.
The strawberry blonde put the window down.
"May I help you?" She asked.
"Miss Dupre?" He questioned.
"Yes. How did you know?"
"Mr. Slocum asked me to bring this out to you. He said the three of you might be hungry by now."
Confusion and surprise could not be hidden by Niki. "He said that?"
"Yes, Ma'am. He said that he wanted to treat you guys for making it a fun night."
&nbs
p; Niki accepted the bag from the youngster and watched him hurry back to the restaurant. She sat for a few seconds trying to put it all together.
"What did he send?" Donna asked. "I'm hungry."
Niki handed her the bag, which the young investigator immediately tore open. Donna pulled out three to-go boxes and examined each.
"We've got choices," she announced. "Would you like Redfish on a Plank, Veal Marcella or Shrimp Scampi? Hey, he sent house salads and bread. We've got some bread pudding, too."
Niki did not immediately respond, her gaze fixed on the front door of the restaurant.
"I'll take the veal," Drexel said from the backseat.
"Miss Niki, would you like to redfish or the shrimp?"
"I'm not hungry," the detective responded. "You two split those."
"What got your goat?" Donna asked.
"Something went wrong. Really wrong. I can't figure out how he spotted us."
Donna grinned. "That's easy. The advantage of experience still can't keep up with the vitality of youth."
Drexel groaned behind the ladies, but Niki kept staring at the door.
40
Blackwater Road
"Mr. Elgin, I'm Niki Dupre."
LaDonne Elgin's father was hesitant. Niki had driven to the ranch-style home on Blackwater Road hoping to find some evidence of a conspiracy between his daughter, Flavia Foster, and an unknown person.
"May I come in? I need to ask you a few questions." She took a step closer to Adam Elgin. He was not an old man. His hair was jet black, his body trim, but not sculptured. His eyes were dark as night.
"You killed my daughter." His tone was as dark as his eyes.
"I'm sorry," Niki replied.
"If it wasn't for you, my daughter would still be alive." His voice did not vary.
"Mr. Elgin, I had nothing to do with LaDonne's death. I’m attempting to find out who killed her."
