do anything for poor Becky though.”
“What?”
“Mrs. Pierson.” John said. “She’s been killed. Shot twice in the face.”
“I didn’t know.” I said. “No one told me. I can’t believe-”
“Just be glad you didn’t see the body.” John said. “Poor Niti wasn’t ready for it. When I was on the force I saw some worse crime scenes, but not many. It’s bad. Real bad-” Chris interrupted us on the walkie-talkie, asking for John. “Right here.” He said. “What do you need?”
“There’s a news crew here. They want to do a report from the scene.”
“No!” John shouted. “No news crews, do you hear me? Under no circumstances are you to let them in. Understand?”
“Yeah, got it.”
John was about to say something else when Chris spoke again. “They say they want to talk to me on camera. Should I tell them anything?”
“No!” John yelled. “Don’t talk to them! Don’t say a word, just keep them out. If they have any questions tell them to ask the police. If I see your face on the news tomorrow so help me god I’ll wring your neck!”
“Alright, alright, jeez.” Chris said.
“We’re gonna have enough to answer for.” John said to me, shaking his head. “This stuff isn’t supposed to happen here, this is a gated community -and we’re the ones supposed to be minding the gate.”
“I gotta use the bathroom.” I said. “I’m going down to the Sloop. I’ll be back in a minute.”
“Hurry up, we might need you.” John said. I turned and walked away, past the growing crowd on the sidewalk. I went down to Main Street, past the movie house to Sloopy’s Diner. I had a key, but I didn’t go in, I stood in the doorway and called Jessie on my cell.
“Hi.” She said. “You getting bored on gate duty again?”
“No. Listen, I don’t have much time to talk. On the dresser, in my cigar box, there’s a stack of cards and slips of paper. One of them is the number for David Telano. Could you get it for me? I think it’s on a piece of a napkin. I need it fast.”
“Why do you need that?” She asked. I could hear the creak of the floor as she walked into the bedroom with the phone.
“I can’t really explain right now, but it’s important. Just find me that number quick.”
“If it’s there I’ll find it.” She said. I heard her rummaging around. “Here it is. Do you want his cell or home?”
“Cell.” I said. She read me the number and I repeated it to myself over and over, only stopping to thank her and tell her to watch the news. I dialed David’s number and hit send. It rang three times before he answered.
“David, what the fuck is going on?”
“Oh, I thought that was you. Did you have to report me?” He asked.
“Yeah of course.” I answered. “You’re in a lot of trouble man, they’re going to see your face on the security video.”
“Who?” He asked.
“The police!” I said.
“Nah.” David said with a laugh. “It won’t even be reported stolen, watch. I’ve got the owner by the balls. He’ll just say someone borrowed his car. The police won’t be involved.”
“Becky Pierson is dead.” I said. “And Junior is in the hospital. The police are already involved.”
There was silence on his end. “Dead?” He asked finally.
“Yeah, dead. That’s usually what happens when you shoot someone in the face.”
“I didn’t shoot anyone!” He shouted.
“Uh-huh. I don’t want to know okay? I just called you to say that I’m not going to lie for you. I’m not gonna risk going to jail to help you out of this shit. This is way over the line, and you are going to get caught.”
There was another moment of silence on his end. “I didn’t even have a gun!” He yelled. “I’ve gotta get rid of this fucking car, quick! I-”
I didn’t hear what else he said because detective Reyes had turned the corner and was walking towards me. I snapped the phone shut and slipped it into my pocket. “Who are you calling at this hour?” She asked.
“My girlfriend.” I answered. “I wanted to tell her I’d be late.”
“Oh? What time do you usually get off?”
“Three AM,” I said, “I just thought I might be even later than usual because of all this.”
She smiled at me. She knew I was lying.
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