by M. Z. Kelly
While Joe ate, I excused myself and called Robin. I gave him some general information, telling him that we could all be in jeopardy because of the Swarm, and that I would come by and see him tonight. He and Lindsay had been close at one time, so I decided to hold off on telling him about her. I would tell him what happened to her in person.
After Joe finished eating, and I took a couple bites of my sandwich, he drove me to Hollywood Station. I was quiet during the trip and he asked if I was going to be okay.
I took a breath and looked at him as he pulled to the curb in front of the station. “I’ve got to be. I owe that much to Lindsay. Just promise me you’ll let me know what you hear, no matter what it is.”
He reached over and kissed me. “Of course I will. I’ll call you tonight.”
***
When I got back to the station, Lieutenant Byrd called me into his office with the others. Even before he opened his mouth, it was apparent Al was happy about the way things had gone with the DA.
“I got the subpoena to take a look at everything,” Al said. “Garth’s accounts are at First National, so I thought I’d head over there now.”
“Kingsley can go with you. Call us right away if you turn up anything incriminating.”
After Al and Leo were gone, Olivia updated the lieutenant on our meeting with Stephanie McVey. “I think she’d genuinely severed her connections with her ex and had moved on.” She looked at me, raising a brow.
I tried to focus, but was having trouble. “Yes, I agree.”
Olivia went on. “The couple had a daughter, Danica. According to Stephanie, she and her father were estranged because she blamed him for the divorce. She goes by her mother’s maiden name, Andrews. I thought Kate and I could take a run at her this afternoon, if we get hold of her.”
Byrd looked at me. “You good with that?”
I took a breath and nodded. “Yes...no. Actually, I’m not feeling well. Do you think you can get by without me? I think I need some rest.”
“Sure.” The lieutenant looked at Olivia. “Why don’t you see what you can find out about the daughter.”
After she was gone, Byrd looked at me. “What gives?”
I told him about Lindsay. “From what I know, her boyfriend was murdered by Caine this morning, before he took her.”
“I thought he was nothing but smoke from the meltdown.”
“I guess we had it wrong.”
He slowly shook his head. “I’m sure Van Ness will fill me in. In the meantime, go home and try to forget about the world for a few hours.”
I stood, and Bernie came up to my side. “See you in the morning.”
I started to leave when the lieutenant came over to me. He lowered his voice. “You need anything, and I mean anything, you just ask. I’m here for you.”
I nodded. “I appreciate that.”
***
When Bernie and I got home, we found the house was deserted, except for Otto, who was in the back yard, tending to some flowers. The rain had finally let up, and it was a sunny, beautiful day that contrasted with my mood.
“It looks like you’re busy,” I said, when Bernie and I got over to him. My furry partner gave our butler a dose of doggy love. Otto giggled as Bernie licked his face.
“Just taking a break,” he said, after Bernie wandered off. “Nothing soothes the soul like playing in the dirt.” He stood and regarded me. “Is everything okay, madam?”
Otto had become like family, so I filled him in on my day and what happened to Lindsay. “I’ve had worse days, but I can’t really remember when.”
His voice softened. “I’m so very sorry. Could I fix you something? I have some tea that helps calm the nerves.”
“Thanks, but I’ll pass.” I looked at Bernie, who was sniffing along the fence line. “I’m going to take a nap. Could you keep an eye on him?”
“Of course. We’ve become best friends.”
I started to head into the house, but stopped and said, “Are Natalie and Mo at work?”
“I’m not sure, but I heard them saying something about...” He scratched his balding head. “I believe it was a fortune teller, of some sort.”
My brows went up. “Nothing ever surprises me with those two.”
After going to bed, I tossed and turned for the better part of an hour, my mind filling with thoughts about my sister. Even though the decision to put her in witness protection had been out of my hands, I felt guilty about not being able to have contact with her. I managed to focus on some positive memories of our time together several months back on Catalina Island, and finally dozed off.
The sun was going down by the time I got up, took a shower, and headed downstairs. I found my friends in the living room, about to head out the door. They came over, hugged me, and told me they’d heard about Lindsay.
“We’ll find the dirty gas bag that took her, no matter what it takes,” Natalie said.
“The Toad told us that asshole Caine killed her boyfriend,” Mo said. She lifted the hem of her blouse. “Baby sis and me aren’t taking any chances.”
I saw that they were both armed, something that spiked my anxiety. “All I can do is hope the FBI catches a break and finds her.”
“In the meantime, you need to get your coat,” Natalie said. “Mo and me are on our way to see a soothsayer. Word has it Pythia can predict everything from earthquakes to when you’re gonna get laid.” She looked at Mo. “And we’re hopin’ it’s soon, ‘cause we’re ‘bout to pop our panties.”
I smiled. “I don’t think I’m ready for a soothsayer.”
Despite what I said, Mo went over and got my coat out of the closet. She brought it over to me and said, “Pythia is named after the Oracle at Delphi, so she knows her stuff. Besides, even if we don’t like what she has to say, baby sis and me are going out for drinks afterward.” She helped me put on my coat. “And, believe me, you could use a drink.”
I spent another ten minutes making excuses about why I couldn’t go, before surrendering to my fate. I made arrangements for Otto to watch Bernie and we headed to downtown Los Angeles. Along the way, my friends made it clear they knew all the details about Lindsay being taken, thanks to Elmer Road.
Natalie then gave voice to my earlier fears. “Do you suppose that Caine wanker also took Daniel?”
I sighed. “It’s possible.” Robin suddenly came to mind. “Shit!”
“Better pull over,” Natalie told Mo. “Kate needs a crapper.”
“No. I was just thinking about Robin. I need to tell him about Lindsay.”
Mo glanced at me in the rearview mirror. “We can stop by there when we’re through. Robin’s always good for a drink.”
I sighed, and Natalie looked back at me. “You’re really down ‘bout this, aren’t ya?”
“Yes. Sometimes I wonder if my life will ever be normal.”
Natalie looked at Mo. “You wanna tell her?”
I looked over at Mo, whose dark eyes met me in the mirror. “What?”
“When baby sis and me were talking to the Toad this afternoon, we heard another rumor.”
“Oh, God. What?”
“He thinks Caine is planning something big, maybe as big as the bomb that fizzled.”
“Did he have any idea exactly what he has in mind?”
“No, but he said he’s not working alone.”
“You mean he’s working with other members of the Swarm?”
Natalie answered. “There’s that bunch of grotbags, and his brother.”
“What about his brother?”
Mo answered. “All we know is the Toad thinks Caine might have hooked up with his brother, Isaac. We’ll stay on top of things, let you know what else we find out.”
As Mo turned off the freeway in Los Angeles, I texted Joe and told him what Natalie and Mo had learned. He texted back, saying that he would call me later.
After making our way through the congested streets in downtown Los Angeles, we found my friends’ soothsayer living in a small
home a couple blocks off Broadway. The tiny house was sandwiched between some multi-story buildings, making it seem like it had been overlooked when the surrounding area was developed.
As we rang the bell and waited on the porch, I read a sign above the door aloud. “No one is perfect, yet here I am.” I looked at my friends. “At least Pythia doesn’t lack for self-esteem.”
“Nor do I lack for girth,” a heavyset woman said, as she answered the door. “In case you’re wondering, I’m not pregnant. I just eat well.”
My friends introduced me, Natalie telling their fortune-teller, “In case you was wonderin’, Kate wouldn’t slap a bum’s ass.”
“Natalie means that Kate’s embarrassed by what you just overheard,” Mo explained. “That’s why her face is all blotchy.”
“She can be a bit of a pissy missy,” Natalie agreed.
“I’m not pissy,” I said, then looked at Mo. “And my face isn’t blotchy—usually.” I offered Pythia my hand. “Nice to meet you.”
She took my hand and smiled, exposing a gap in her front teeth. “We will be seeing about that.”
Our fortune-teller looked to be around forty, and spoke with an Indian accent. She wore a muumuu and a head scarf. Her features were round and pleasant. Despite all that, there was something mysterious about her, like she was hiding a secret that only she knew.
We were led into what had probably been a living room at one time, but had been converted into something akin to a museum. There were shelves filled with everything from iron manacles to jars full of what looked like body parts. The far wall had several masks, and weathered signs denoting cities from around the world.
As we all took seats at the table in the center of the room, Pythia swept a pile of bones into a jar and said, “Someone who did not survive my last reading. Too bad for them.” Her expression had turned serious, making me wonder if there was some truth to what she’d said.
“In case you’re wonderin’, Mo and me are here ‘cause we need to know when we’re gonna get laid,” Natalie said, getting right to the point. She then looked at me. “Kate, on the other hand, hasn’t had sex since Jimmy Carter was president.”
“I wasn’t even alive then,” I said, feeling the need to defend myself.
“We rest our case,” Mo said.
Pythia was silent. Her eyes seemed unfocused, but her head swiveled on her shoulders. I had the impression she was seeing something, or maybe someone, around us that no one else could see. She uttered a couple words that made no sense, let her head roll from one side to another again, and then farted.
“She musta got some kinda important vibe,” Natalie whispered. “It loosened up her bowels.”
“Shh!” Pythia said, as her head continued to lull about her shoulders. She looked at me and finally spoke. “I be needing the birds.” She stood and left the room.
“What’d she say?” Mo asked.
Natalie answered. “It was something about givin’ Kate the bird.”
In a moment, Pythia returned with a cage that contained two green parakeets. After placing the cage in the center of the table, she found a deck of large cards, which she spread out in front of the cage. The cards had strange symbols, similar to tarot cards.
“Told ya she was gonna give you the bird,” Natalie said to me.
“Silence,” Pythia scolded. “There are twenty-seven cards before you. Each represents a deity that will be telling your fortune.” She turned her attention to me for an instant. “You are a special case. I be saving you for last.”
I rolled my eyes. “Swell.”
Pythia reached over and opened the door to the bird cage. On cue, each of the green parakeets flew off its perch and fluttered over to the cards on the table. They took their time, walking across the cards, before each bird picked up one card in its mouth and brought it over to Pythia. After she accepted the cards, the parakeets dutifully returned to their cage.
Pythia ignored the birds, taking her time to study the cards.
“It must be bad,” Natalie said to Mo, her eyes wide.
Their soothsayer focused on my friends, telling Natalie, “There will be someone coming...”
Natalie’s eyes brightened. “How soon?”
Pythia glared at her. “What I be meaning is that a man will be coming into your life soon. And remember, what is being good for the goose is also good for the gander.”
“That’s good, ‘cause lately it feels like my goose needs a great big gander.”
“Be patient then.” She looked at Mo. “The cards tell me that you also be liking big men.”
Mo smiled. “I didn’t know you was gonna ask for details, but I...”
“I be talking about stature, nothing more.”
“Oh, yeah, I like a guy with some substance. What’s coming my way?”
“A big man who is a soft touch. He is being your soul mate.”
Mo’s fleshy face lit up. “Really? ’Cause lately I been thinking I ain’t getting any younger. A soul mate would be just what the doctor ordered.”
“I must be warning you. He will be different than what you expect.”
“Different. What the hell does that mean?”
“You will be seeing soon enough.” Pythia’s gaze swung over to me. “Are you ready?”
I took a breath. “No, but I guess I have to be.”
She released the birds again. This time they moved to the far side of the table. Each bird fetched a card, then fluttered over to Pythia. She took the cards and examined them, as the birds returned to their cage.
Pythia was silent for a long time before Natalie said to Mo, “This doesn’t look good. I got me a feeling that Kate’s got herself another shitstorm comin’.”
Pythia looked at her and shook her head in a scolding motion. She then looked at me. “There are many forces gathering. You face a difficult time ahead. The future is unclear.”
“Great.”
“Can’t you give her something more?” Natalie said. “Kate’s had more trouble than a dookie dancer waitin’ to use an outhouse.”
My features pinched together. “I wouldn’t exactly put it like that.” I looked at Pythia. “But I’ve had my share of problems.”
Pythia’s eyes closed. We heard a fluttering sound, and there was movement in the air. For a moment, I thought the birds might be loose again, but I looked over and saw the most beautiful butterfly I’d ever seen moving across the room. It was ruby red, with black dots on the tips of its wings.
As the beautiful creature continued to move about the room, Pythia opened her eyes and said to me, “Sometimes a butterfly cannot be seeing its wings.”
TWENTY-FOUR
I hardly ever use the f-word, but as we all left Pythia’s bungalow, I made an exception. “A butterfly can’t see its wings. What the fuck does that mean?”
“It means,” Mo said, when we got to the sidewalk, “you’re ‘bout to fly and don’t know it.”
“Fly?”
Natalie went on, playing the role of soothsayer interpreter. “As in your life is gonna transform, just like a butterfly.” She must have seen my confusion, or maybe my anger, and tried again. “You been a caterpillar all these years, and that’s ‘bout to change.”
“A caterpillar.” I looked at her and Mo. “Thanks for telling me that I’ve been an insect.”
Natalie smiled. “We didn’t want to upset you.” She punched my arm. “I’m just takin’ the mickey with ya.”
I shook my head. “Let’s go. I need to see Robin, and I definitely need a drink.”
My brother lived in a condo in North Hollywood when he wasn’t at his salon doing hair. He’s gay and has a heart of gold, so I was dreading telling him about Lindsay. As we all settled in at his table with glasses of wine, Natalie and Mo told him about our evening with Pythia.
“Kate here is ‘bout to finally spread her wings.” She lowered her voice and giggled. “And maybe her legs.”
“I always knew you was gonna fly off into the wild blue yond
er someday,” Mo agreed.
After I went into detail about our evening, Robin said, “Did this Pythia person explain what the butterfly represents?”
“No,” I said. “That’s the frustrating part. She just got up and left the room, telling us we were finished.”
My brother worked a hand through his short, spiky brown hair. He then took a sip of wine, and said, “Well, all I know is that seeing a butterfly like that can’t be a bad sign. I think it’s just a matter of time until something good happens.”
I glanced at my friends, then said, “I think I have a long way to go before that happens.” I then filled Robin in on what happened to Lindsay. I added, “I’m worried that Caine might also try to find Daniel. I also want you to be careful. I don’t think anyone is safe until he’s caught.”
Robin was someone whose emotions were always close to the surface. His eyes were glassy as he said, “I can’t believe he found Lindsay after all this time. We’ve got to help her.”
“Me and Mo are workin’ on that,” Natalie said. “It’s just a matter of time till we take down the scollywop.”
“You seen any more signs of Daniel?” Mo asked Robin, before chugging her wine.
“He stayed in a motel in Studio City for a couple of days. His trail went cold after that.”
“Maybe he’s homeless again,” Natalie suggested.
I sighed. “Maybe.” I looked at Robin. “There’s more.” I spent the next several minutes telling him about what Pearl had to say, then added, “He thinks my bio-dad could be alive after all these years. It might even be that he’s had something on the Swarm all this time and has used that as leverage to keep himself and me alive.”
“Did Pearl have any idea who he is or where he’s living?”
“No. That’s the frustrating part. It also means that my dad walked away, knowing he could never to be part of my life.”
“To save you,” Natalie said. “Hey, maybe he’s got a private island somewhere in the Caribbean, like that Virgin bloke.”
“She means Richard Branson,” Mo said. She looked at me. “It would be nice if your daddy was a billionaire, so we could all have the lifestyle we deserve.”
