Thrown Adrift

by Combs, Sasha

  “Once I have the warrant signed, then I’ll go straight to Elizabeth’s penthouse. I know I don’t need to remind you but... It’s getting late, and I’ve already wasted enough time.”

  He nodded and while he did this, he tried his best to mask his disappointment. When he wrote the story a few years back about students who were paying off State Official’s to receive passing scores on the Bar; he had no way of knowing that the collection of names in the study group would include the innocent as well as the guilty.

  Linda had been judged guilty by mere association. Her father, a retired city attorney had tried his best to defend his daughter and after he failed; he did the next best thing by getting her a position as a detective in the homicide division. Hayford had researched the judges decision in her case from the moment her punishment had been handed down. Linda would have to wait five years before she could retake the Bar exam...until then, she couldn’t practice law.

  Walking backwards towards his car, Hayford nodded while saying...

  “You had better drive close. I like to drive fast...and you’re right; it is getting late.”

  Linda smirked when she added...

  “If you exceed the speed limit, I’ll have to issue you a ticket.”

  Hayford laughed as he turned, continuing his way towards his car. When he slid across his leather seats, he looked across the parking lot to take one final look at her as she sat inside of her car. There was something about Linda that had always held a curious draw. His desire to be near her had not waned over time and Hayford had always wondered why that was the case. Tonight he believed he would have the opportunity to examine the pull that fueled this peculiar tug.

  After leaving Judge Mead’s home, Linda had felt like she’d just been taken to meet Hayford’s folks for the first time. The meet and greet didn’t possess the hallmark signs linked to judges and warrants. In most cases the process is typically straight forward. Kinda in and out. Sign on the dotted line, then thank you very much sir. But that wasn’t Linda’s experience and she was certain that she had Hayford to thank for that.

  Hayford’s uncle had greeted them both at the front door of his luxurious townhouse. She’d driven by these pricy homes but until today, Linda had never been inside of one. Linda had apologized for the hour; but he’d waved off her apology while he personally escorted them to his first floor study; where he told them, while they walked, they would find it much more comfortable then the library or his den. He offered them both cold drinks or cold cuts, while he looked in his desk for his favorite pen. After finding said pen, Hayford’s uncle sat back rocking in his leather chair...sizing up Linda as if she were Hayford’s girlfriend or his date. Giving Hayford an approving nod; he continued to discuss topics that had absolutely nothing to do with her search warrant or her murder case. Pointing to pictures in the room, Hayford’s uncle told Linda brief stories surrounding the photographs that held images of his nephew, Hayford. As they walked to the foyer to leave his home; Judge Mead handed Linda a card with all of his contact information on it. Linda knew most judges weren’t nearly as obliging as Judge Mead. She also knew, if it weren’t for Hayford sitting next to her, his uncle more than likely wouldn’t have appreciated her waking him before the crack of dawn. But as she left the house of Judge Mead, she couldn’t help but notice the silent look both Mead and Hayford had shared with each other. She knew this nonverbal communication held a great deal of information...currently she just didn’t know what their stare had meant.

  As Linda followed closely behind Hayford towards Elizabeth’s penthouse, she was wondering whether Hayford had contacted his uncle before he arrived at the precinct. She didn’t know if he expected her to give him exclusive rights to the story since he was braking several rules to help her carry out her investigation and she still had not figured out how far she should allow this collaboration to go. When Hayford had written the story about her and her law school study partners over two years ago; she had never taken the time to consider what kind of man he was. Linda had never questioned what his life was like or who his relatives were. After talking to his uncle for the short time that it took for him to sign her warrant; Linda had learned intimate details about Hayford’s privileged childhood. His father owned several newspapers and Hayford was a reporter at one of his New York dailies. As Judge Mead spoke, it didn’t escape her notice that Hayford sat silent, while his uncle told his stories.

  When Hayford had suggested to Linda to follow him to Elizabeth’s penthouse; it didn’t occur to her until she was on route to the victims home, that Hayford more than likely had known Elizabeth intimately. He had told her that his uncles home was close to Elizabeth’s penthouse. She also recalled the name that he used before they left the precinct. When Hayford spoke about the victim, he didn’t refer to her by using her full name. He had said Liz, instead of saying Elizabeth Van Wilson. She chewed on that thought for a moment but she didn’t want to put to much emphasis on him using a nickname in place of the name printed on her drivers license. It was common knowledge that most of the cities elite traveled in the same private social circles. Linda wasn’t the sort to rely heavily on assumptions but it made perfect sense to her that Hayford and Elizabeth probably knew each other.

  As they parked their cars in the underground garage; Hayford emerged from his car quickly to join Linda just as she was getting out of her sedan.

  “Have you been here before?” She said. Because she was way passed being coy. A woman was dead and Linda wanted to know if she should be questioning Hayford.

  Hayford reached passed Linda to close the door to her sedan.

  “Yes...I have.”

  He said in a matter of fact way. Hayford’s facial expression didn’t display any guilt leading Linda to believe he should be considered as a potential suspect. For some odd reason the fact that Hayford had spent time at Elizabeths’ penthouse; the thought made Linda curiously jealous. Anyone who lived in the city for at least a month would have heard a racy story about Elizabeth Van Wilson. Her escapades were legendary. She was always rumored to be linked with someone famous...or dating many men all at the same time. Every night, if she was in the city; Elizabeth would be spotted going inside of a hot trendy nightclub. Most nightclubs courted her business because if Elizabeth Van Wilson was seen there; the club would become the cities hot spot for that week.

  Hayford led Linda through the parking garage to an elevator that took them up to the main lobby. It was clear to her that the doorman recognized him and when he whispered something in confidence to the man; Linda didn’t even have to present the search warrant that Hayford had assisted her in procuring.

  “This way...” He had said after his secret conversation with the doorman had ended. Linda had wanted to question the buildings employee but she thought it best to allow this process to continue without her interference. Is this how people gained entry into Elizabeth’s building...her mind was whirling? She had noticed how it had only taken a hundred dollar bill to influence a desk sergeant to allow Hayford to gain entry into her building. She wondered what Hayford had said to the doorman that would make him stand aside without asking to see any identification; thereby giving them permission to be where they otherwise would be trespassing.

  Stepping inside of a plush elevator; when the doors were closed, Linda rounded on Hayford.

  “What’s going on Hayford? Why didn’t he ask to see my search warrant and how do you intend on getting inside of her penthouse...unless you have a key that you didn’t bother to tell me about?”

  Hayford’s expression had not changed. He was just as composed as he had been when he stood on the bank of the rivers shore, while the men on their boats had been fishing Elizabeth’s body out of the water. Staring at him while waiting for a response; Linda watched, as Hayford returned her stare by passively looking back at her. Their nonverbal exchange was laced with a peculiar undertone. The atmosphere was fueled with an energy that made Linda want to kiss his thin pink lips.

  Maintai
ning her cool...Linda continued to wait him out. But as his overpowering presence in the elevator crowed her, Linda’s controlled patience had not been rewarded. Their staring had been cut short by the elevator stopping on Elizabeth’s floor. The two metal doors slid open to a large open foyer with mirrored walls, high ceilings and a shiny marble floor. Her penthouse occupied the entire top two floors of the building and all that was needed to gain access to her home was a five digit code.

  Hayford stepped pass Linda, facing the door with the security lock. He didn’t attempt to block her view, thereby preventing her from seeing the code while he entered the numbers. Looking over his shoulder he said...

  “Elizabeth allows Henry to change her code every few weeks. She has an awful memory...so she left the work of contriving security codes in the capable hands of her doorman. Elizabeth allows most of her friends to come and go as they please. Henry knows that Elizabeth doesn’t mind certain people going up to her place without her being at home.”

  Linda had wanted to ask why was he so special that he’d be one of the people Elizabeth wouldn’t mind roaming around in her home when she wasn’t there. She also wondered why he had come to the precinct to help her with her search warrant, since he already had free access to Elizabeth’s home. While they had sat in his uncles office, she had noticed how Hayford had been curiously looking at her. At the time his clandestine gazes had unnerved her and she’d seen the odd expression when his uncle had observed the way he would avert his glances whenever Linda’s eyes drifted in his direction. The entire string of events that occurred at his uncle home had made her feel Hayford had orchestrated things by stacking the deck in her favor. At this point in the game Linda knew she couldn’t second guess the way things were playing themselves out. She’d already committed to what she was doing tonight and so far she still didn’t believe Hayford was a person of interest in this investigation. She had not lived in the city for long but she had always known about the lives of the rich and self important people. Their lives were closely monitored by people who made a living working their nine to five jobs. This high society glitterati believed that they owned the city and most of them flaunted this by living on the edge of propriety. Even though it was Linda’s job to solve the case of the murdered socialite; she was beginning to believe it had been her carefree life style that had hammered the nail in her diamond studded coffin.

  Stopping by a light panel once they had walked inside of her home; Hayford switched two levers up, thereby lighting up the room they were standing in. Looking around the well lit room, Linda didn’t see anything out of place. The oversized room looked immaculate and she was hoping whoever had killed her had not already cleaned up their mess...that is if the murder had occurred here.

  Linda allowed her legalistic mind to take over in situations such as this. Even though she hadn’t attended the academy; the classes she’d taken while in law school had more than prepared her for the job she was facing tonight. Standing still for a moment, her eyes scanned the room...taking in the expensive furnishings and priceless works of art. She could see that Elizabeth had expensive taste and even though Hayford had said she didn’t mind her friends coming and going as if her home was like a turnstile on a subway; Linda couldn’t see any signs that would indicate anyone had recently invaded her space.

  Slowly taking her time as she crossed the room; Linda didn’t allow her fingers to touch any objects but she did allow her eyes to methodically scan the room. Remember where these objects stood. While walking in the direction where Elizabeth’s telephone sat on a table; Linda dawned a pair of gloves just before picking up the receiver. She scrolled through a list of calls the dead woman had made for that day...noticing that each number had been a local call. A note pad sat next to the telephone and Linda noticed the scribbling of two words...“cry...baby”.

  Frowning, Linda turned her focus away from the phone to see Hayford standing near a glass door that led out to an expansive balcony. He was looking in the distance and his eery silence had caught her attention. Never had she seen him so serene because most times, as a reporter, Hayford was constantly in motion; working to get the facts for one of his stories. Walking over to where he stood, Linda positioned herself next to him as he stared down on the city. In a soft voice she said...

  “How did you know her Hayford?”

  It was clear by his single minded focus; the death of Elizabeth Van Wilson was affecting him. Even his body posture was betraying him now. He eased his hand from his coat pocket; lifting spread fingers to his head. In a raking motion, he plowed through thick dark strands; but the combing maneuver managed not to dishevel his hair. As a matter of fact, the move had actually improved the look of his thick curls. But on the other hand, there was little this man could do that would take away from his inherited good looks. She tried not to focus on this and instead, Linda noticed Hayford’s smile as he considered her question. She could see his pleasant look in the reflection of the window. He inhaled deeply, then he sighed as if he were about to share something he’d given much thought.

  In a calm metered voice he said...

  “Elizabeth and I once dated...”

  Linda felt a gnawing pang in the pit of her stomach. She had seen pictures of the beautiful blond Elizabeth and the idea of Hayford being with this woman had made her feel ill. Given their turbulent past, this emotion had surprised Linda. Even though this churning feeling defied logic; the sentiment quickened her desire to leave this place. She couldn’t abide hearing about Hayford and Elizabeth as a couple. Still, Linda reminded herself; perhaps his relationship with the dead woman would provide her with valuable insight. She forced her emotions back in check because her primary objective was to solve this murder.

  Before Linda’s voice had broken into his concentration; Hayford’s thoughts had drifted away. He knew that Linda was still in the penthouse with him, but he’d momentarily removed himself from this harsh reality. As her words tugged at him; forcing him back to face the truth. Hayford gave Linda his attention. Smiling he said...

  “We dated while we were in boarding school. Even then, Liz didn’t have good taste in men.”

  Linda felt the knot as it unwound within her stomach. His quick wit and lighthearted commentary had been the reason most people in the city enjoyed his column. However she hadn’t expected him to insert levity at a time when seriousness was in order. Yet, somehow the idea of her finding out that they’d been childhood sweethearts, and him joking while telling her this didn’t seem all that peculiar. The information had settled her twirling stomach. Hayford and Elizabeth had once dated while they’d attended boarding school. She thought about this for a moment, then the idea spawn visions of him and Elizabeth fumbling over prepubescent bodies. She couldn’t be angry at the man because learning this news wasn’t as bad as the idea of him dating Elizabeth once he became a legal adult.

  Linda watched as Hayford’s gaze went pass her. She knew he would be talking from his memory now because she could tell he was no longer thinking in the present.

  “Elizabeth was always a carefree spirit. She loved to party...loved to have fun. When we were at school she was always the one to come up with the idea’s that would get us off campus or she’d find some form of transportation for us to travel into the city without the head master finding out.”

  Smiling, Hayford continued.

  “After we graduated, most of us went off to University. But not Elizabeth. She traveled the world...went to places that we would sit up all night and talk about. Places that even our parents wouldn’t dream of taking us to.”

  Hayford’s eyes went dark...which seemed impossible because Linda had never seen a hue as light and blue as his. His gaze settled heavily on Linda. A stormy cloud descended on his mood and she knew he would be telling her information that more than likely would help her solve her case.

  “Linda’s father hated that she traveled so much. He bought this penthouse as a way to get her to come back home. When she did return, her father
saw to it that her galavanting wouldn't end up causing to much trouble because he made certain that the police were in his back pocket. Most times when I reported on a story, I made a point to report the events but if I thought it would hurt her family, I would leave her name out of the article. Liz would thank me for not muddying her name...then she’d laugh and say she wondered how much her antics had cost her father with the local police.”

  Linda frowned. The assertion that there was corruption on the police force didn’t sit to well with her. She looked at Hayford and he said...

  “I know what you’re thinking. You’re thinking about what I did tonight to get pass the desk sergeant in your building. That’s small pittance Linda...I hate to burst your bubble but it’s better that you find out now...then later after getting involved in something that could end your career.”

  Linda marveled at how well Hayford knew and understood her. She’d been thinking about her past...how it had been friendships that ruined her career path. Then she wondered if Hayford genuinely cared. For the past few years she had focused on rebuilding her life. But she reminded herself, if things were different, she knew he was just the type of man she wished would come into her life. A man who cared enough to warn her of pitfalls. Linda’s eyes had gone far off and when she came back she told herself, she wasn’t in Elizabeth’s apartment to find a man to be in her life. She needed to understand what Hayford knew about Elizabeth and what information he had that would help her solve this case.

  “What did her father do Hayford...and I don’t want innuendoes’. I want names...dates...whatever will help explain her body floating in the river.”

  Hayford frowned due to Linda’s frankness. When he arrived at the rivers edge he had already been tipped off by one of the men on the force. Hayford had known it was Elizabeth’s body floating in the river before Linda had received her telephone call from Chief Billings. He had known Elizabeth’s life had finally caught up to her but as a reporter for his father’s paper, Hayford knew it couldn’t be him that solved this crime.