Brett didn’t look at Melody. He spoke directly to me. “I’m calling the cops.”
CHAPTER THIRTY
“Yes, of course you are.”
His eyes held mine. “You’re not going to try to talk me out of it?”
Melody looked from Brett to me, hoping for a reprieve, counting on me being able to persuade Brett into giving her a second chance.
I shook my head. “No, I understand you have to do what you have to do. Just as I do.”
I turned to Melody. “Don’t be frightened. I’ll come bail you out. Don’t worry. Everything will be all right.”
“No,” she started to back away, eyes wide with fright. “No…I can’t go to jail. I can’t go back there. I can’t.” Before either one of us could react, she took off at a run. Brett started after her, but Billy’s crutch seemed to come out of nowhere and tripped Brett up. He stumbled, fell into a chair, and took a bad landing.
I looked down at him, feeling both heartbroken and bone-weary. “Are you happy now? She’ll be back on the streets, and you can be proud for putting her there.” He didn’t look so proud, so I pounded it in. “I suppose you never did anything wrong in your youth? Being a cop’s son, you were too squeaky clean to get into any shit, right?”
“I didn’t say I was a poster boy for straight-edge kids.”
“No, well, you might as well have been.” I stormed off, leaving him on the floor staring after me. Billy had regained use of his crutch, and hobbled off to help his mother clean the place up.
Slowly, I returned to my car, trying to figure out my next move. I had to find Melody. Where would she go? I roamed the streets, checking out a couple of happy hour bars, thinking she might turn to a place where she could meet some guy and have a few drinks and a bed for the night. The thought that she might go home with a stranger was intolerable.
How did we let this happen? I failed her. We failed her. Whether she gave Billy some dope or not, tossing her back into the cesspool of life was not the answer. I had to find her.
It was still early for Miami. The restaurants were filling up, but the nightlife was not yet in full swing. I still had a few daylight hours left before she became desperate, and gave her body away for the price of a room.
She was my responsibility now, whether I damn well liked it or not. I called in recruits, every female I knew that wouldn’t let me down. I had Leanne out looking, Fran, Brett’s sister Caitlin, my friend Lydia, and Candy. The bar wouldn’t be open tonight, so she was eager to help my search and rescue mission. I had each woman assigned to a certain area.
There were only so many places a girl on foot could run to. She had very little money and fewer resources, but she was street smart and in her new duds—well, mine actually—quite a looker.
The six of us girls kept in touch by cell phone. We called our reconnaissance Operation Melody.
“Susie, Fran here. I’ve been up and down Ocean Drive, in and out of the bars, restaurants, what-have-yous, and, sad to say, I’ve seen more pimps and hookers than on a rerun of Miami Vice, but no Melody.”
“Hang around a bit longer, Fran, if you don’t mind. The place is crawling with girls like her. You could easily miss her in the mix.”
“Not if she’s wearing that outfit you described. Most of the gals here aren’t wearing anything.”
I chuckled. “Yes. The twin-set and long flowing skirt will make her easy to spot. Are you doing okay, Fran? You sound out of breath.”
“Sure. I just chased a girl leaving Fat Tuesday’s for a block or two, who loosely fitted the description, then discovered she wasn’t a she.”
“It was a guy?”
“Not one worth running after, either.”
“Oh, Fran. You are too funny. I’m glad you’re okay, but don’t wear yourself out. I’ve got Caitlin covering the area too. She’s been to the Clevelander and Finnegan’s Way and is making her way up to your end. Stay in touch with each other so you don’t cover the same territory.”
“I’m glad I have help. Heck, if I had to hang around each one, I’d be drunk in no time.”
“Fran! You’re not ordering drinks, are you?”
She giggled. “Only when a nice-looking guy offers.”
I hit my forehead with the flat of my hand. “Keep moving. We’ve got to find her.”
“Okay, okay. I’ve only had one. Not too many good-looking guys offer me drinks, anyway.”
“I’ll talk to you in a bit. Good luck.”
“Okay. Over and out.”
I chuckled, knowing how much Fran enjoyed reconnaissance and surveillance missions. She was really into this stuff. The phone rang again. This time it was Candy.
“Anything?” she asked.
“No, nothing yet. I’ve got Fran and Caitlin scouting out Ocean, but that place is a mob scene. If you get a chance, go on over there and help them. You have Fran’s cell number, right?”
“Right. We’re almost done with Washington.” I could hear her take a puff from her cigarette. “Checked out Automatic Slims and the PlayWright Pub, and a few others. No sign of her.”
“I’m doing Lincoln, and she’s not here either.”
“Billy’s with me. He wants to say something to you.”
“I lied about the dope, Susie. She didn’t give it to me. I know about the watch, and how scared she is about getting caught.” There was a hitch in his voice, like he was going to cry. “We’ve got to find her before she does something stupid.”
“We will, Billy. Why don’t you check out the park or the beach while your mom goes into the bars?”
“Okay. We’ll find her, and when we do, Mom says she can come live with us for a while. Until she gets enough money together to get her own place.”
“That’s real nice of her. I’m sure she’d like that.” I rang off, and headed into another pub. I boycotted the more upscale establishments, thinking she’d be more comfortable in one of the sports bars, or a chain restaurant. Somewhere she could hang and get cheap drinks and bar snacks. I bet she was hungry. She’d worked all day and didn’t have dinner. I thought of her eating salted nuts for dinner.
Poor baby.
My stomach growled. When I found her we’d all go out for a nice dinner somewhere. Someone was bound to find her. She couldn’t elude all of us. I looked around the crowded bar and did a quick walk-through. It gave some guys the wrong idea. One whispered as I walked by, “I can lick my eyebrows.” Then he flickered out his tongue.
I gave him a withering glance, hoping his little thing would curl up like a slug and fall off. I left for the next place. Two hours had passed and nobody had a sighting. I couldn’t imagine where she would go. I had Lydia working Collins, so I headed that way. On my way, I passed a small church. It was small and dark, and I nearly missed it, but something made me decide to have a look inside. The door was open. I walked down the long aisle toward the altar, and spotted her kneeling in prayer.
I felt so many things it was hard to describe. Joy, and heady elation at finding her safe. Also a feeling of great peace that she had come here as a safe refuge instead of finding a home in a bar. And a little smugness too. I had been right. She was a good girl after all.
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
“Melody?” I put my hand on her back. “We know you didn’t give Billy the pot. He’s sorry, honey, and so is Candy. We’ve got everybody out looking for you.”
“Yeah? Who?” I gave her the list of names. “I’ll call off the search, then you and I can go and give Mrs. Carlisle back her watch. We don’t want that hanging over our heads.”
She sniffed, but didn’t look up. “I can’t. I’m praying.”
I would have laughed, except it wasn’t funny. “That’s good, hon. Pray all you want. I think I’ll sit for a sec and pray some too.”
“Guess there’s no law against it.”
So I did. I sat and I prayed for this girl, and I prayed for Billy, and even myself. We were all sinners in this world, and hell, once I got going I realized I could ha
ve stayed and prayed all night. But hunger won out. “I’ve got a bunch of ladies out looking for you. I have to let them know you’re here, safe, and I don’t know about you, but I’m starving. Let’s say we split this place, drop off the watch, then all of us can go for a big dinner. The sky’s the limit. Whatever you want, you got it.”
“I am kind of hungry.”
“Good.” I helped her up. “Let’s round them all up and think of a place to meet.” We went out to the street to hail down a cab. “I know just the spot.”
“Where? Please don’t say the Candy Bar.”
“Nope. I was thinking Mexican. How about Señor Frogs? It’s right here on Collins, and they can grab us a table.”
“Sounds good to me. Bring on the nachos.”
Thirty minutes later Melody and I stood outside Mrs. Carlisle’s door. We glanced at each other. “Go ahead, knock.”
“No, you knock,” she said, shifting her feet like a child does when they need to pee.
“Nervous?” I forced a smile.
“You shitting me? I’m so scared my knees are knocking together. What if she has me arrested?”
“Why would she do that? You’re giving it back. You’re not trying to keep it.”
I knocked for her. She was holding the watch in her hand, then stuffed it in her pocket.
Mrs. Carlisle answered the door. “Hello? May I help you?”
“Hi, Mrs. Carlisle! How’s Winston?” Melody chirped. The dog was behind the lady, sniffing around the door. “Hey, Winston, how are you, boy?”
Mrs. Carlisle looked uncertain. “Hello, Melody. I did tell you I no longer needed you, didn’t I? My arthritis kicks up now and again, but it’s not bothering me right now. When it does, I’ll call you.”
“I’m not here for that.” We exchanged looks.
“Melody has something for you, Mrs. Carlisle, and it may be a bit of a shock, but she came to me asking for help.”
“Whatever are you talking about?”
Melody dug in her pocket and brought out the watch. “This.” She handed it to Mrs. Carlisle, whose aged and wrinkled face darkened like a cloud of thunder.
“Why, you little thief!”
Melody’s eyes filled. “I’m so sorry, Mrs. Carlisle. I don’t know what made me do it, but then I hid it, and I was afraid to say anything. I wanted to give it back to you right away, but I was so scared.”
“I’ve looked everywhere for weeks, hoping it would show up, and all that time you had it. I have a mind to call the cops. Yes, that’s what I should do.”
I spoke up. “Mrs. Carlisle, please. Reconsider. I know how disappointed you are, and trust me, so am I, but Melody did come to me and ask for my assistance in giving it back to you.” I gave Melody’s shoulders a hug to show my support. “She didn’t want to keep it. Please don’t involve the police in this matter. Be charitable and give her a chance to redeem herself. Believe me, she’s trying.”
Mrs. Carlisle poked the glasses on her nose, and peered at Melody closely. “You do look different. Where’s the dog collar you used to wear?”
“In a cupboard. Never to be worn again.” Melody lifted her face and met Mrs. Carlisle eye to eye. “I don’t want to be that person any longer. Susie has helped me, and if you’ll help me too, I know I can be better than I was. Please, let me try?”
Mrs. Carlisle made a clicking noise with her tongue, and she wore a look of disapproval. Not that I could entirely blame her. She looked long and hard at Melody, and seemed to make up her mind.
“All right, no police. But I think you should make it up to me. Let’s see.” Her blue eyes twinkled. “I know a way. You can go to church with me every Sunday. Can you drive?”
“Sure, I can drive. I just don’t have a car.”
“Well, I do, but my eyesight isn’t so good. How about if you pick me up every Sunday at 8:30? I like to attend the nine o’clock service.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Carlisle. I’ll be happy to.”
* * *
Now that the watch was returned and Melody wasn’t being hauled off to jail, we joined our friends for dinner. The six of us sat in a booth with a pitcher of margaritas and a table full of fattening food. We chowed down.
Billy sat next to Melody and was like a kid on Christmas morning. It was obvious to us all that he had a major crush on her. Who knew what he was thinking when he tried to implicate her, but he was really trying to win her affection now.
“You can come live with us. Mom said.” He rubbed his hands together. “That would be so cool. We could hang together. I told Mom I’d start going to that youth group over at the church, and maybe you could too.”
She looked at him coolly. “I’m not sure. I haven’t quite forgiven you, Billy. It may take a while.”
“That’s okay. Take your time. I’m going to prove to you and Mom that I’m not all bad.” He looked around the table at all our faces. “People can change, you know.”
He was right. I thought about how I’d run off with a hard rock band and done things I wasn’t proud of, but I had grown up and changed. Melody was off to a good start, and Billy was halfway there. Wanting to be a better person was the first step to becoming one.
“Yes, they can, and I think both you kids are going to do just great. I’m betting on it.” I put my hand over Melody’s. “But I have room for Melody too. She’ll have to decide.”
Lydia spoke up. “I’m going to need a live-in nanny when Junior comes. Melody, why don’t you come live with me?”
Fran looked out of sorts. “Hey, wait a minute. You’ve all got people in your lives, and me, I’ve got nobody. Melody, I have a spare bedroom, and I would be delighted if you’d come home with me.”
Melody looked around at all of our eager faces. “You guys mean it? Or are you kidding me?”
We all spoke at once, telling her how much we all wanted her. Her eyes grew big with wonder and she clapped her hand over her mouth. “Nobody has ever wanted me, and now all you guys are fighting over me!”
She giggled and then burst into tears. Billy whipped out a napkin, and being gentlemanly, offered to dry her tears.
“Thank you,” she whispered. “I love you guys. You’re the best.”
* * *
Melody went home with Candy. She told me she wanted me to get Brett back, and didn’t want to be in my way.
I didn’t argue.
The other girls left and I asked Caitlin to stay.
“Cait,” I didn’t know how to start so I just plunged right in. “Brett pretty much dumped me, and I’m not sure why.”
“Susie, he said something to me about you two being complete opposites. He loves the fact that you’re so compassionate, but he feels that that’s one of the reasons you love him. Because of his burns.”
“That’s ridiculous. I loved him before the fire, when he was dating Samantha. You know that.”
“I do, but he doesn’t.” She touched my arm.
“He’s always been confident and secure about himself, but with his scars, I’m sure his self-esteem is at an all time low. Not that he’ll admit it, of course.”
“You’d think so, but he never talks about it.”
“I know. He’s stubborn and a bit closed-mouthed, like his father.”
“Why is he refusing more surgery when he so obviously needs it? Not just for cosmetic reasons, but health ones too.” I sighed. “I’ve never seen anyone so pigheaded before.”
“Didn’t he tell you?”
“Tell me what?”
“He’s afraid of anesthesia. Terrified of it, is closer to the truth.”
“No.” I gave her a sharp look. “He never said anything. After all the long talks we’ve had, I’m surprised he didn’t share this.”
“No, he wouldn’t. Big tough guy like him. He’ll run into a burning building, but he’s afraid to go under.”
“A lot of people have this fear. It’s not that unusual.” Now his refusal made a little sense. Not a lot, but a smidgen. “Look, Dad is an excell
ent doctor and could probably help relieve his worries.”
“It’s not that simple. Wish it were.” Caitlin’s voice lowered a notch. “Our mom died from having a simple gallbladder operation. She was supposed to be released the following day, but she never woke up. The anesthetist was new on the staff and inexperienced. He killed our mother.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
After that conversation I was determined to hunt Brett down, and have a serious talk. I also wanted him to know that his fear was not irrational and it didn’t make him less of a man.
More importantly, I wanted to ask if he’d wait for me until I returned from my European adventure. I felt like a stalker as I waited outside the fire station for him to get off duty. Caitlin had told me when his shift ended, so I drove straight over. As I waited in my car I heard the siren go off.
A minute later, all hell broke loose. The doors came up, and I watched the men jump into their uniforms, pull on their jackets and boots, and hop on the trucks almost simultaneously. The trucks were rolling out of the station, and screeching down the streets in a matter of seconds. I would have been impressed if I hadn’t seen Brett jumping into the first truck, and knew it must be a serious fire. I had no choice but to follow.
The wailing of the siren paved the way for the trucks, and I stubbornly stuck close, going through red lights so as not to lose them. At one intersection a large moving van came barreling through, not seeing my car behind the fire truck. I honked my horn at him, and he gave me the finger.
Then I heard another siren behind me, and glanced in the rearview mirror. I had a cop on my tail, but I was already in for a penny, in for a pound, so I didn’t stop. Ahead, I saw the smoke pouring out of a building, so I slowed down, hoping the nice police officer might want to pass on my left.
The Candy Bar Complete - 4 book box set: Candy Bar Series Page 44
