The Sun Rose over Cairo
Page 6
Tommy drove downtown, parked his car near Military Park and walked down to the canal. He walked back and forth looking at his watch before he finally sat on a near by bench. After some time a couple walked by ooing and ahhing the moonlight on the canal.
“Hello,” the man in the couple said as they passed by him.
“Hello,” Tommy said dismissively and continued looking down the canal.
“Tommy?” the man asked.
He turned back to the couple confused. “Yes. Do I know you?”
“No, but we have a mutual friend,” the man said and without hesitation hit him over the head with a pipe.
***
Detective Campbell left the wake to meet his partner back at the office.
“Did you get anything?” Detective Rabbitt asked him when he walked in.
“Yeah, I did, I learned a lot. Did you run the name and the picture I sent to your phone?”
He passed him a stack of papers. “I ran his picture and his name, both come back clean, no priors anywhere.”
Detective Campbell tapped his pen on his desk. “Hmm, do you have his current address?”
“Yeah. Whatcha thinking?” he handed him another paper.
“Well, just because he’s legal doesn’t mean he’s clean. It just means he hasn’t been caught doing anything.” He looked over the paper. “I know where this is. This is a nice building…all condos. Ok, now how can a kid of 24 afford a condo like this working at Abercrombie and Finch in the mall?” he asked rhetorically. “I’m going to find out if his name is on the books for owner of this condo. What did you come up with?”
“Well, I found out that the boy toy that we’ve been trying to track down is your mystery guy from Townsend’s wake.”
“Really? Well, this just keeps getting better.”
“Yeah. I started comparing the pictures from Townsend’s office to the pictures I was sending over the wire after I blew them up. It didn’t start ringing any bells with me until I blew up the picture you sent to my phone to send over the wire. Once it was enlarged I knew I had seen the guy before.”
“Mmm, so now we have a name, a face and an address. Now we just have to see if old man Townsend kicked out for the condo then we can have a chat with Mr. Thomas Porter,” he said smiling at the picture.
Chapter 7
The next morning Cairo and her friends met at Cracker barrel for breakfast.
“See, this is exactly what we needed, a nice hearty breakfast to fuel us for this long ass walk,” Frieda said buttering another biscuit.
Lavita sent her a look that made everyone else laugh.
“What? I’m doing the damn walk, aren’t I? I’m on the team, being a team player, right? That doesn’t mean I have to like it, you know.”
“Whatever, Frieda. You’re up for any opportunity to eat, even physical labor.”
She shrugged off her friend’s laughter. “So, Jose, I never got the chance to thank you for the heads up you gave us on your boys. I had a really good time when I went out with them.”
“That’s great. I’m glad I could help. I only know them well enough to know their not womanizers or psycho paths. If I felt leery about them at all I wouldn’t even associate with them.”
She looked at her friends with a raised eye brow. Really? Why is that?”
“Yeah, aren’t most men like that?” Pumpkin asked with a chuckle. “You’re cutting out a whole hunk of potential friends thinking like that.”
He chuckled. “That’s not true. I’m not like that at all.”
“Really? So where are from that you’re not like that?” Frieda asked.
“Yes, Jose, what planet might that be?” Pumpkin added.
He chuckled again. “I’m from this planet, Pumpkin. I grew up in San Antonio, Texas. My parents left Mexico and settled in Laredo to have me, but they later moved out to San Antonio.”
“So, when did you come here?”
He reached for a biscuit just as Cairo reached and they grabbed each other’s hand. “I’m sorry, go ahead.”
“Are you sure, I can wait--”
“No, really, go ahead.”
“But if you really want it…”
Frieda snatched the biscuit and they both turned to her. “What? I was stopping a hostile interaction before it could start.”
Everyone laughed.
“Anyway, Pumpkin, my father’s job sent him here to open another restaurant when I was a freshman in high school.”
“So, let me get this straight. If I go to Texas I can find me a hot looking Latin lover, with manners and they know how to treat a woman? Sounds like I need to call a travel agent.” Pumpkin said laughing.
He laughed with her. “I don’t know about all that, I can only speak for myself and my brother.”
“Mmm, a brother you say? Older or younger?”
“What’s his name?” Frieda asked.
“His name is Pedro, but since he was named after my Uncle we call him Tony so we don’t mix them up when they’re together. His middle name is Antonio.”
“Yes, yes, but let’s get to the important questions. Is he here and is he as fine as you are?” Pumpkin asked.
Lavita burst into laughter. “Pumpkin, look what you did. He’s blushing.”
“Super sexy, wonderful manners and modest, the list just keeps getting better with this one,” Frieda said grinning.
“No, it’s ok. He lives in Texas, outside of Dallas with his wife and new baby.”
She sighed disappointed. “Figures.”
Frieda finished her juice. “Yeah, isn’t that always the way? All the good ones are either married or gay. You’re not gay, are you Jose?”
“Jose isn’t gay, guys,” Lavita said then a thoughtful looked came over her face. “Are you?”
All eyes were on him, even Cairo looked up from her plate. He threw his hands up and laughed. “I can you assure, I’m not gay. Not in the least, I definitely prefer the company of women.”
“Well, that’s a relief.” Frieda said.
Cairo sighed her own relief before turning her attention back to her food as she listen to her friends quiz Jose to death and quietly learned more about him.
“So, where’s your girlfriend, then?” Frieda asked.
“I don’t have a girlfriend. I used to be married, but well, I’m not anymore.”
“So, you’re still available, huh? No one waiting in the wings, Jose?” Pumpkin asked with a smile and kicked Cairo under the table.
“Oww!” Everyone turned to her. “I mean, ohh! Oh, yeah, I think we should get going. Don’t you, Lavita?” She rubbed her leg and made a face at Pumpkin who was still smiling at her.
He sent a quick look to Cairo and agreed shyly. “No, there is no one in the wings.”
“Hmm, imagine that,” Pumpkin said.
“Yeah, you’re right. If we sit any longer I’ll need a nap and the last thing I’ll want to do is walk somewhere.” Lavita stood and reached for her purse.
Frieda finished off the last of her juice and pulled her own money out.
Jose held his hand up. “No, no, I’ll get it.”
“No, Jose, you don’t have to do that. We always chip in and pay the check.”
“Hey, what are you doing?” Pumpkin asked, stopping Cairo from opening her purse. “He said he’ll get it this time,” she repeated putting her wallet back in her purse.
He chuckled. “It’s ok; you guys can get it next time we hang out.”
“See, Cairo, there you go. You’re a scholar and a gentleman, Jose.” Lavita pushed her toward the door. “See that, he pays for you and your friends. That’s a lovely quality in a man,” she whispered to Cairo as they put some space between them and their friends.
“If you think he’s so great, why aren’t you going for him?” she whispered back.
“Because girl, you know I never break rule number one. That rule was put in place after Bill came on the scene.”
“Oh, yes, never date anyone you work with. That can�
�t be working out for you. You’re a nurse; you work with doctors and other nurses. Doesn’t that cut out a lot of good men?”
“Just because you’re a doctor doesn’t mean you can’t be a crazy stalker. Didn’t Bill prove that? Besides, Jose and I are friends and we’re talking about you and Jose anyway, not me.”
“I don’t know, Lavita.” She peeked over her shoulder watching Pumpkin and Frieda fighting for Jose’s attention. “What if he turns out to be a creep in the long run?”
Theirs is no one that is less creepy than Jose. You already know that. You‘ve spent time with him, haven‘t you?” She watched her friend nod. “Well, you know something about him. Give him a chance. I like him, we’re cool. I don’t get a weird freaky vibe off of him. I think he’s a genuinely nice guy and there aren’t a lot of them around, you know. All I’m saying is go on a real date with him. You had fun as friends and that‘s a good start. I know you well enough to know the man turns you on, shit, he turns me on and he‘s doing all this without even trying. Imagine if he did try,” she added with a chuckle.
She looked over her shoulder again and smiled. “You’re right. What am I being so scared about? He’s so shy I might have to make the first move.
“That’s very true, you do that and I’ll have a talk with Frieda about a few things.”
“Talk to Frieda about what?”
They stopped at Cairo’s car and waited for the others. “Never mind that, you just talk to Jose.”
“Hmm.”
“Are we going to take one car or follow each other,” she asked when the rest of them came closer. “Parking is going to be crazy down there, you know.”
“Jose was just asking the same thing. He says his truck is big enough to hold us all,” Frieda supplied gripping his arm.
“Yes, I don’t mind driving if that’s ok with everyone.”
“Why don’t we just ride with him?”
She made a face at Frieda. “If that’s ok with you, Jose, it does make sense to take one car,” Lavita said.
“Sure. I’m parked around the corner.”
They followed him around the corner to a black Trailblazer. When he unlocked the doors and got in the driver’s side Frieda opened the passenger side door to ride shotgun, but Lavita yanked her back out and pushed Cairo into the seat then shut the door.
“Hey!”
Lavita stood in front of door glaring at her. Frieda rolled her eyes and opened the back door.
“Fine,” she said with a huff.
Pumpkin got in on the other side laughing as they took off for downtown.
***
Later that evening Lavita arrived at Cairo’s home.
“Hey girl, I know we just spent the whole morning together, but we didn’t get a chance to really talk. I just wanted to see how you were doing.”
She handed her glass of wine and sat on the couch opposite her putting the bottle on the coffee table. “Doing? I’m doing fine, Lavita. Why wouldn’t I be?”
“Well, a lot has happened over the last two weeks. You had to take over that case with that crazy Kimberly Davies, your boss was killed by his angry wife and you just may have met your Mr. Right,” she finished with a sly grin.
“What? Whatever. I’ll give you the first two, but that Mr. Right thing is way off,” she said laughing.
Lavita laughed with her friend. “I don’t know. I saw you guys at the walk. You were all to yourselves, talking all low. It looked very romantic to me.” She chuckled.
Cairo swallowed her giggles in her cup.
“We’ll come back to that, you’re still in denial. So, how’s that case coming?”
“Well, I sent the papers out to her husband’s lawyer to let him know I’ll be taking over and I needed time to go over everything, so I’ll be up to speed. That’s all I can really tell you, you know I can’t go into detail about my cases.”
“Yeah, yeah, I know, it sucks, too.”
“I can say this though, if neither contests then we could go to court and it would be over very soon, but she‘s already told me she‘s going to fight to the end. So I don‘t know how long this could drag on.”
“Bummer. What’s going on with Mr. Townsend?”
“Mr. Townsend is dead.”
“Duh! I meant with the case. Do they know anything new about it? I saw on the news that they let the wife go for now.”
“That’s what I heard, too. You know as much as I know. Detective Campbell comes by and calls when he needs information from me. He‘s very cute, did I tell you that? I think he might be interested in me.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, but he led me to believe if we were going to hook up, he couldn’t make a move until after the case was over.”
“Shoot, by then you’ll be happily wrapped up with Jose. Just let me know if you hear anything else. I like to keep ahead on the current news, it makes me look smart at work,” she said with a chuckle. “Now, let’s talk about the real reason I came over. Let’s talk about you and Jose.” She emptied her glass then refilled it and Cairo’s too.
“Uh-huh, what about me and Jose?”
“I saw you guys together, there were sparks,” she pointed at her accusingly.
She chuckled. “Well, he does seem nice and he‘s so sweet, without even trying to be.”
“Just sweet, huh?”
She looked her over her glass and smiled before answering. “That and he’s extremely sexy. Did I tell you how hot he made me when he took me Salsa dancing?”
She laughed. “Yup, twice,” she said holding up her fingers.
Cairo laughed too. “Oh, well, Salsa dancing has moved up from not being on the list of favorites to the top and it did it one night. It gives dirty dancing a whole new meaning. The funny part is he never touched me, just kinda glided over me and the way he was moving and twirling me and, wooo…” She shook off a chill. “Just thinking about it even now is making me all hot and bothered.”
Lavita laughed and beat the couch.
“He’s definitely not like the jerks I’m used to. I guess he’s worth taking to the next level…of friendship, of course.”
Lavita smiled. “Of course. And…”
“And we’re going to have dinner tomorrow.”
“I knew it! That’s my girl!” She lifted her glass. “I’ll drink to that.”
She giggled. “Don’t jump the gun on this, Lavita. It’s our first official date. He just got out of a bad marriage and he may need time to get pass that. We’re going to take things slowly. Besides, we may not hit it off as more than friends, you know. Some people can‘t take a relationship to the next level.”
“Yes, yes, I know. Miss ever so practical, but it’s your first real date in two years, dinner or other wise. Besides, dinners can lead to breakfasts on any given day.” She smiled over her glass.
Cairo laughed. “Oh, that won’t happen anytime soon.”
“Say what you want, but I’m optimistic and I’m buzzing so I’m going to drink to that too. Here’s to you and your maybe Mr. Right, may all you buttons be pressed and all your bells be rung!”
Cairo raised her glass with her friend and drank. “You’re so crazy.”
Chapter 8
Sunday brought the first day of May and the first 80 degree temps with it. After fixing her hair, make up and outfit five times Cairo decided on the first outfit. She always liked the way the black pleated shirt fit her and the sleeveless blouse made her breasts appear bigger than the B cups they were. She didn’t know why she felt so nervous; this wasn’t the first time she went out with Jose. She knew him, already liked him and still she couldn’t shake it off. She wanted to look just right. Finally she stood in front of the mirror and smiled at her reflection then headed out to meet Jose at Steak and Ale. The restaurant was dimly lit with candles on every table and small candles in the elegant sconces on the walls, it made for a very romantic atmosphere. The hostess walked her to the back of the dining room to a small round table where Jose waited for her. He p
ulled her chair out for her as the waitress came to light the candle on their table and the ones on the wall in the sconces above them.
“You look lovely,” he said nervously.
“Thanks.”
“Thanks for coming.”
Her confusion showed as she leaned on the table. “Why wouldn’t I have come?”
“Well, I’m a little rusty in the dating game. I tripped all over myself trying to ask you out yesterday.”
She chuckled. “Yes, I noticed, but I figured it out.” She looked around the room. “I was a little nervous, too, even though this isn‘t our first time out this is our first time out on a real date and not just as friends.”
“Yes, I think I do very well on the friend level, but it’s been a long time since I had any kind of relationship.”
“This is nice restaurant I‘ve never been here before. Have you?”
“No. I had no clue where we should go so I googled for a good place for a first date. This place came up with four stars for ambience and four stars for food. That’s when I called you to see if it would be ok with you if we came here.”
“That’s great. We can experience it together.” The waitress came to take their order. She waited for her to leave before continuing their conversation. “So, you said you haven’t been in a relationship in a long time. Does that mean you haven’t dated since your divorce?”
“No, that means I haven’t had a relationship since before my wife, but no, I haven’t dated since the divorce either.”
“Oh. Are you and your wife still friends?”
“I wouldn’t go as far as saying friends, but I wouldn’t call her my enemy.”
“So, what happened…if you don’t mind me asking?”
He hesitated.
“If you don’t want to talk about it, I completely understand,” she rushed out. “In fact, forget I even brought it up. God, I suck at this. I’m sorry, that’s not really first date conversation is it? I don’t know what I was--”
“No, no, it’s ok. I was actually just wondering myself what happened.”
“Oh.”
The waitress brought their food and drink and they continued their conversation.