by Kacey Shea
“You too, Jer.”
“Hey, if you ever want to meet up to have a beer or watch a game, let me know. I could use a few more friends in this town. You’re a cool guy, Jon.”
“Yeah, sounds good.” That actually wasn’t a bad idea. We exchanged numbers and promised to hang out soon. I needed a few more friends who shared similar interests. Jerry was a nice guy. I liked that he was as much into fitness as I was. I finished my workout with a run on the treadmill before calling it quits. When I grabbed my bag from the locker room I was surprised to find I had several missed calls and one voicemail. As I headed out to my truck I pressed play.
“Mr. Beltran. This is Detective Collier from Scottsdale PD. Call me back at your earliest. I have a few questions regarding this weekend’s incident outside Jolene’s Apparel.” He rattled off his phone number. I returned his call as I drove.
“Detective Collier.” The familiar raspy voice answered.
“Yes, hello, Detective. This is Jonathan Beltran. You left me a message about an hour ago.”
“Mr. Beltran. I was looking over your statement hoped you can make time to meet today. Also, I’d also like to see the photographs you took of Mr. Rodriguez and Miss Violet Blackman, both on the day of the incident and prior.”
“Yes, sir. I have the camera with the photos, and my schedule is wide open. When would you like to meet?”
“In an hour?”
“Will do, Detective.”
He grunted. “See you then.”
In all the commotion I hadn’t thought much about the Blackman case, but I was curious how things were proceeding with the investigation and subsequent charges. I was happy to help any way I could. The day now held real purpose.
I was held up at the police station longer than I had anticipated. Detective Collier was a gruff man, straight and to the point, and I enjoyed working with him. He was impressed with the photographs I took while tailing Violet, especially the shots that documented her time with Mr. Rodriguez. They were building a statutory rape case against him, and without those photographs it was basically a bunch of he said she said bullshit.
Harold Blackman had voluntarily checked into a mental health facility for the next thirty days in exchange for his release and testimony against Rodriguez. He was giddy with the fact the charges would ruin Rodriguez’s career as a dance teacher. The officers chalked that up to the nervous breakdown Blackman experienced. Me, I wasn’t so sure. Harold had seemed a little off since the day we met him. I was relieved to hear the man would receive intense therapy for the next month.
Sunny Lee was granted temporary custody of the girls. Detective Collier tried contacting Jolene, but when he finally reached her she announced she wasn’t interested in returning to care for her daughters, then propositioned him to bring his handcuffs to Mexico for a naughty game of cops and robbers. Since he made that call on speaker phone, every officer in the room—and me—doubled over in laughter as soon as the call ended.
I returned to the apartment late in the afternoon to discover Evie a sobbing wreck behind her locked bedroom door. She wouldn’t let me in and refused to answer when I called her name, so I retrieved the small key from above my doorway that easily unlocked it. I was happy to not have to break it open.
Evie was curled in the fetal position on her bed, sobbing and inconsolable. She was fine when I left; what had happened while I was away? Something had happened because she exhibited a brokenness I never witnessed from her before. This was completely different than her behavior last night.
“What’s going on, QT?”
“It hurts. So badly.” She hiccupped between sobs. I sat on the edge of the bed beside her, gently rubbing her back in what I hoped was a soothing gesture.
“What hurts, Evie?” I asked again.
“I broke things off—With Tate—Stacey. He knows everything. He hates me,” she wailed, and I lay down next to her on the bed, pulling her in close so she could rest her head on my chest. She wrapped her arm across my waist and bawled. I continued to rub her back, and every few sniffles I stroked her hair back from her face. Soon she quieted to a softer crying, but her body continued to shake with each soft whimper. “I hate me,” she whispered before surrendering to sleep.
My poor Evie. I couldn’t stand to see her in such pain. I thought back to my harsh words from the other night. This was more than the infatuation or crush I assumed it was. Love was the only thing that can break a person down like this. I held her until I was certain she was out for good, then slid out from beneath her and walked out the door.
Early Tuesday morning I received another call from Detective Collier.
“Beltran, this is Collier. Wake you?”
“No, not at all. I’m an early riser. What can I do for you today, Detective?”
“Good. Nothing today, Beltran. I just called to thank you. We were able to deny bail to Rodriguez at this morning’s hearing. We wouldn’t have been able to do that without your evidence. So, thank you. Good work, Beltran.”
“That is great news. And thank you detective. I was only doing my job.”
“Don’t discredit what you’ve done. You have great instinct. I hope to work with you again. Things could have escalated and ended very differently on Saturday. I could be investigating a murder now instead. You saved all of us at the station from having Mayor Sheffield up our asses. Murders aren’t good publicity for the city.”
“Thank you. I’m glad I was able to help.”
“I also wondered if you’d be open to taking on contract work? Quite often we don’t have the resources in house, but hire private investigators to help out. Usually surveillance, boring shit like that. If you’re interested I’ll put you on the list.”
“I would appreciate that. Please, put me down and give me a call when something comes up. I’d be happy to take on any work like that. Thanks for thinking of me.”
“No problem. Gotta go. Talk soon.”
“Goodbye.”
I sat on the couch stunned by the turn of events. If I took on contract work, then our PI firm was back in business. As I sat there thinking about the cases we had worked I started to get angry. Angry that I would let some entitled princess try to ruin what Evie and I worked hard to build these past few weeks. Angry at myself for giving up and calling it quits when the going started to get tough. I was Army and never gave up.
Before heading out for a run I fired off an email to Stacey. I would set the record straight and make things right. I hoped she’d agree to meet me for lunch. I would apologize, grovel, explain, do whatever necessary to make the princess happy. I only hoped she would agree to meet me.
When I returned from my run I saw an email was waiting for me. I opened it and had to smile. My plan was en route and I was hopeful. I answered back, leaving time and location details, then shot off one last text to put the plan into action. I hit the shower and made breakfast. Evie was still sleeping, but I was committed to making her eat today. It was easy to slip into a deep and dark place inside the mind; I wouldn’t let her fall.
I sat on the patio at Postino’s to wait for Stacey to arrive. I sipped on my water and watched the front door. A few minutes after our arranged time Stacey made her grand entrance, dressed head to toe in designer clothes. Her plunging neckline and shiny jewelry brought attention to the cleavage between her ample breasts. Her hair was styled into long loose curls reminiscent of an old Charlie’s Angels episode. Had I not known her I would have found her beautiful.
She spotted me and strode over with a smile and a casual wave. I stood as she took an open seat.
“Miss Mills-Sandoval, thank you for agreeing to meet me, and on such short notice.”
“Oh, please, Jonathan, call me Stacey. You don’t have to keep things so formal now that you aren’t working for me.”
She propped her elbows onto the table top and leaned towards me with a sensuous smile, her breasts threatening to overflow the confines of her dress. I thought it had been too easy to get her to meet me
—she thought this was a date. Well, maybe it would help my argument. A server came by and I ordered a bottle of merlot. Her eyes sparkled with delight.
“I want to first apologize for my partner’s behavior. I hope you understand I had no idea of her personal involvement with Mr. Reynolds. I hope you can forgive the error and not hold it against the firm. I would like to continue my work as a PI, and I think it’s safe to say I can do that better with your support.”
I paused to pull a check from my back pocket. It contained a full refund of the money Stacey had wired us to date. I slid it towards her on the table top. She looked thoughtfully at the check and I glanced at the door.
“At least promise me you’ll think about it. And I hope this helps weigh your decision in the matter.”
I stood as a smiling Jerry Smith approached our table. He looked distinguished and dapper in street wear, and I hoped to hell this worked. As I sat back down at the table I made introductions.
“Jerry! Thanks for meeting me. Please, have a seat. I’d like to introduce you to a dear friend of mine, Stacey. Stacey, meet Jerry. We work out together; he’s a dentist who’s new to the area. I was hoping you could help get him acquainted with all the important places and people around town.”
Stacey shot me a curious look before turning her attention to Jerry.
“Where are you interning? Like, what office?”
Jerry smiled shyly. “Actually, I own my practice. I know I look young for my age. I’m leasing a space down on Cherry Street.”
“The eighteen hundred block?”
“Yes, have you seen it?”
“Seen it? Like, my parents own that building! Wow, you are impressive. That’s not a cheap location. I mean, like, the street traffic and upscale appeal comes at a price. It’s a great location to open a practice. I hope you’re doing well there.”
Jerry grinned. “Oh, very well. I love the area, and the clientele has been wonderful.”
At the apparent success of my introduction, I took my phone from my pocket and pretended to read a message.
“Sorry to interrupt, but I’ve got to run. An important lead just came up on a time sensitive case. I hope you two are able to stay? I’m happy to pick up lunch for the trouble.”
Jerry gave me a knowing smile. I was sure he was picking up on the lame excuse while Stacey actually seemed unconcerned.
“No need, man. Do what you need to. It would be my pleasure to take this beautiful woman to lunch.”
Stacey beamed at the compliment and I quickly made my exit. I felt a little bad at putting Jerry in the direct path of such a high maintenance woman. She was nice to look at and maybe he could overlook the gaps between her personality and intelligence with the size of her rack.
I drove back home to check on Evie. She had been fairly unresponsive this morning. I was able to get her to eat a few bites before she cuddled up on the couch to drift back to sleep. I could tell she didn’t want to face reality. While I was all for giving her space, it wasn’t healthy to stay cooped up in the house day after day. I didn’t want to talk to Kate, but this was beyond me so I put aside my pride and sent a quick text.
Jon: Evie’s in bad shape and I don’t know what to do. Can you please come over and help?
Kate: Sure. I’ll stop by after work.
Jon: Thank you.
Kate: FYI I’m doing this for Evie, not you.
Jon: Understood.
It was safe to say she hadn’t forgotten the words shot back and forth the other night. I was glad she was able to put them aside for Evie’s sake, though. Despite everything, Kate was a good friend to Evie and she would help me get her out of this funk.
I entered the apartment to find Evie exactly where I left her, sleeping on the couch. Although she had been sleeping for days, she looked horrible. Her face was swollen from the constant crying and she had deep, dark circles under her eyes. Her normal straight hair was arranged in a haphazard mess atop her head. I sat on the floor next to her so we were face to face.
“Wakey wakey, Sleeping Beauty.” She buried her head further into the couch cushion, so I knew she heard me. “Come on, QT, wake up! It’s a new day and I need to talk to you.”
She rolled to a sitting position and groaned as she wiped her face. Her eyes met my face and I gave her a smile to let her know things would be okay.
“You’re too good to me, Jon. You should hate me too.”
“Why would I hate you?”
“Because I ruined our shot at having a legitimate business. I know you were excited about that so you don’t have to hide your disappointment. I know I fucked things up. I fucked everything up.”
I laughed.
“Why are you laughing? I’m serious! I ruined everything for us.”
“Actually, I don’t think you did. You see, I’ve been busy, I think I found the solution to our problems.”
“I don’t understand.”
“You would be proud. I played cupid today! I set Stacey up with this guy I met at the gym. I actually feel a little bad about that though, because he seems like a nice guy.” That earned me a smile and she listened with interest.
“Who knows if it will work, but it might. We just need to stop her from talking trash and we will be fine. And the Blackman case might get us some good leads from the police department contract work.”
Evie straightened and slapped her hand to her mouth. “Oh my god! I’ve been so caught up in myself that I completely forgot to ask what happened with the Blackman case! Oh Jon, I’m so sorry! I haven’t been a very good friend or partner.”
I stood from the floor and walked into the kitchen.
“Aren’t you going to tell me what happened?”
“Oh, don’t worry. I’ll tell you everything!” I called from the kitchen. “I’m just going to get some snacks. This is such an epic story you’re going to need a bowl of popcorn just to hear the entire thing!”
I smiled to myself as Evie chuckled from the couch. I had made her smile and laugh for the first time in days. This was a good sign. And with Kate’s help we would have our Evie back in no time, no doubt.
IT HAD BEEN EXACTLY ELEVEN days. Eleven days since my heart was shattered into a million pieces, all by my own hand. I was concerned I may never be the same. He hadn’t called, not that I expected him to or blame him for not. But I still hoped. I wanted to hear his voice. I wanted to touch him again. I wanted to get back what we shared, but that was impossible. Just knowing I wouldn’t get those things again made the pain almost unbearable.
I was worrying Jon. He tried to not make it obvious, but I could tell he was checking up on me. Coercing me to go on runs with him every morning so I had to get out of bed. Always making food and feeding me to make sure I was eating. He was the best and I loved him for it, but I didn’t want him to have to babysit me anymore; it wasn’t fair to him.
Kate was also looking out for me, but with her it was in a more direct way. I was restlessly sleeping my nights and days away after my confrontation with Tate and Stacey. It had only been a few days when she barged into my room, waking me from a fitful rest by clicking the lights on and opening my dark curtains to reveal the bright afternoon sun.
“All right! Time to stop being creepy vampire lady!”
I moaned and covered my face with a nearby pillow. “What are you doing, Kate?”
“I’m here to find out why the hell you’re ignoring my texts and phone calls!”
I pulled the pillow away and squinted to find her at the foot of my bed, hands on hips, examining me closely. “I haven’t turned my phone on yet.”
“What? Like, since Saturday night?” I nodded and she sat down on the edge of my bed. I sat up, pulled my knees into my chest and wrapped my arms around them. “Honey, why haven’t you turned on your phone?”
“Because I know he hasn’t called, but I can’t stand to see that he hasn’t when I’m here falling apart without him. Or what if he has called or texted? He isn’t going to have anything to say other th
an what a shitty person I am. I don’t think I can handle seeing or hearing him tell me what I already know.”
“Aww, sweetie.” Kate scooted closer and wrapped me in a big hug. It felt good to be taken care of; I couldn’t help but shed a few tears. Kate stood and proceeded to search my room.
“Okay, where is it?”
I wiped the tears from my face, suddenly confused. “What?”
“The phone. Where’s your phone? I’m gonna take care of it.”
“It’s on the dresser.” I pointed across the room and she snatched it up.
“Don’t worry, Evie, I’ve got you. That’s what best friends do, right?” I nodded at her, and blinked back tears once more. Within a few minutes of messing around with the damn thing she declared she was all done.
“Have you talked to Melissa?” she asked cautiously.
“Why? Is everything okay? Claire’s okay?” I realized I had been so focused on my pain that I didn’t even stop to think. Lives were moving on; maybe someone was trying to reach me.
Kate smiled. “Nah, everyone’s fine. I just wondered if you told her what happened yet. She asked me, but I didn’t want to say something you didn’t want me to.”
“Oh. No, I haven’t talked to her. I don’t feel like talking about it, but she probably needs to know what happened. Will you tell her for me?”
“Sure . . . you wanna clue me in? I only got the Cliffs Notes version from Jon.”
I was surprised at that. “So you guys made up?”
She waved a hand at me and spoke in a matter of fact tone. “Pshh, don’t worry about us. We can communicate when we have to. I’m still pissed at him, but not enough to stay away from you. I’m a big girl. I know what people think of me.”
“Well, for the record I don’t think that about you. You’re the best friend a girl could ever ask for, and as kind-hearted as they come.” She smiled at my words and I added softly, “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about Tate. I know now that you would have understood. Hell, you probably could have helped me.”
