They Never Die Quietly
Page 30
Except for Al, Sami had not seen any of her fellow detectives or support people from the precinct. When she walked in the front door unannounced, she felt like a movie star. After thirty minutes of goodwill and lots of tears, Sami wandered into Captain Davison’s office. Davison wouldn’t stand if the mayor walked in, but the moment Sami stepped over the threshold, he sprang off the chair and his arms were around her in an instant.
“Are you ready to go back to work, Detective Rizzo?”
She opened her purse and handed Davison her weapon and badge along with a sealed envelope. “I can’t do this anymore, captain.”
Davison tore open the envelope and read it. He fixed his stare on her. “You’ve been through hell, Sami. It’s natural you’d have doubts about your career.”
“I no longer have doubts. I want no part of law enforcement.”
He looked at her over his reading glasses. “What’s your plan?”
“Going back to school to get a degree in social work.”
The captain’s eyes were misty. “Why don’t you take another week or two—”
“That’s not necessary.”
He sat behind his desk and tapped a cigarette out of the fresh pack. “There’s no changing your mind?”
“Not a snowball’s chance in hell.”
“You’re my token female detective, Rizzo. Where do I find another one like you?”
“Sorry, captain, I think they broke the mold.”
“If it doesn’t work out—”
“It will.”
He lit the cigarette. “Have you told Diaz?”
“Not yet.”
“You’re gonna ruin his day.”
“If you see him before I do, please don’t say anything. I’d like him to hear it from me.”
“No problem. I never enjoyed being the bearer of bad news.” Davison glanced at the front page of the newspaper sitting on his desk. “Have you heard the latest twist in the case?”
“I haven’t looked at the newspaper or watched the news since—”
“A panel of psychiatrists has determined that our perp is a bona fide nutcase, but he refuses to let his lawyer use an insanity defense. The jury’s gonna fry his nuts.”
Sami didn’t flinch. What happened to Simon was inconsequential. She just wanted to move forward with her life.
The captain handed Sami a sealed envelope.
“What’s this?”
“Betty in Missing Persons said you were trying to track down a couple of people?”
On Christmas Day, just before noon, Sami and Al were on their way to Katie’s Kitchen.
“I must be out of my mind,” Al mumbled.
“I know a good shrink,” Sami replied. “Maybe we can get a group discount.”
“How did I let you talk me into this?”
“Don’t be such a pain in the ass. It’ll be fun.”
“If serving chow to a bunch of smelly homeless people is what you call fun, then you need to get a life, my dear.”
“You’re just pissed ’cause you had to get up early this morning.”
“I’m pissed because Davison wants me to partner up with Zimmer. The guy’s a goddamn relic.”
“Look at the bright side.” Sami couldn’t keep a straight face. “At least you won’t have to put up with my PMS tantrums once a month.”
“That’s a valid point.”
At Sami’s insistence, Al had become involved with AA again. He hadn’t touched a drop of alcohol since the day he’d rescued Sami.
Sami pulled into the driveway and turned off the ignition. “Are you going to behave yourself, or should I cuff you to the steering wheel?”
“You’re not a cop anymore. Remember?”
“Civilians can still buy handcuffs.”
“Never guessed you were the kinky type.”
“There’s lots you don’t know about me, Al.”
Sami hopped up the front steps and Al trailed behind. Surprisingly, the dining room looked only a quarter full. She spotted the man sitting in the far corner. She pointed to the kitchen. “That’s where the working folk congregate. I’ll catch up with you in a few minutes.”
Al shook his head. “Are you going to bond with the homeless people?”
“Something like that.”
Sami walked up behind the man and tapped him on the shoulder. He turned and did a double take. “By golly, is that you, Detective Rizzo?” He almost knocked over the chair when he stood.
She felt no need to get into a windy explanation about her resignation. “How are you, J.T.?”
“Didn’t think I’d ever see you again.”
“Me neither.”
“I read in the paper what happened. Geez. I’m glad you’re okay. The guy who gave me the shoes really was a loony.”
“Indeed.” Sami opened her purse and removed an envelope. “I’m afraid I can’t return the shoes. Evidence, you know. But I think this will make up for them.” She handed the envelope to Williamson.
“Is this a summons to appear in court?”
“Take a look.”
Williamson wiped his mouth on the paper napkin and carefully tore the end of the envelope. He unfolded a single piece of paper and squinted it into focus. With his mouth agape and eyes almost bulging, he grasped Sami’s hand and vigorously pumped her arm. “Well, I’ll be damned. I must confess, detective, I never really thought you’d follow through.” His face flushed and his eyes filled with tears. “You really found my wife and kid?” Tears seeped from the corners of his eyes. “You’ve made this a very…special…Christmas.”
Sami removed another envelope from her opened purse and gave it to Williamson.
After he looked at the contents, he almost fell back into the chair. “A plane ticket and five hundred dollars?”
“Merry Christmas, J.T.”
“Now that wasn’t so bad, was it, Al?”
“I haven’t had that much fun since Doctor Martin checked my prostate. You owe me, Sami, and you owe me big-time.”
She glanced at her watch. “My mother won’t have dinner ready for another hour. Why don’t we grab a cup of coffee and walk on the beach?”
“You buying?”
“Absolutely.”
Christmas was the only day of the year when Pacific Beach looked almost deserted. Al and Sami sat on the sand sipping coffee and watching a handful of die-hard surfers. The ocean air felt chilly and the sky was overcast, but Al didn’t mind. He snuggled next to Sami, and for the moment, his life had meaning.
“Thank you, Al.”
“For what?”
“For everything.”
“My pleasure.”
Sami gulped a mouthful of coffee. “I’ve got something on my mind.”
He turned and looked at her. “I would guess you’ve got lots on your mind.”
“I do. But this has to do with you.”
“Am I in trouble?”
“Maybe.”
“Should I call my attorney?”
Sami smiled. “Let’s be serious for just a minute.”
Al listened.
“After you rescued me and restrained Simon, you gave me a hug. Remember?”
How could he forget? “Vaguely.”
“When we stopped hugging, I felt certain you were…”
Al could feel the blood rushing to his face. “What?”
“Were you going to…kiss me?”
Their eyes met and Al was certain Sami could see right through him.
“Well…I…um…guess I kind of thought about it. Um…geez. I was happy you were alive.”
“I see.”
They sat silently for a minute.
“So I shouldn’t read between the lines and make more of that moment than it was? You were just happy I was alive?”
Al’s hands were dripping wet. It felt as if his tongue were three times its size. “Sami, I…”
“What?”
I must be out of my mind. She opened the door and I’m slamming it in her face. This
is your chance, Al!
A flock of seagulls squawked relentlessly while an old woman tossed bits of bread in the air. A young woman walked past holding a bundled-up infant in her arms. An elderly couple strolled barefoot across the sand.
Al kissed Sami on the cheek.
Their eyes met.
“What was that for?”
Al moved closer. “About that kiss?”
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I’D LIKE TO THANK THE FOLLOWING PEOPLE FOR THEIR SUPPORT AND ENCOURAGEMENT:
Larry Kirshbaum, my agent, for his editorial advice and his invaluable feedback.
Terry Goodman, senior editor for AmazonEncore, for his guidance, responsiveness, and most of all for recognizing my novel’s potential among millions of others.
Penny Sansevieri, owner of Author Marketing Experts, Inc., for believing in my book and working her magic to introduce it to the world.
Sarah Tomashek, senior marketing manager for AmazonEncore, for her marketing expertise and numerous contributions.
Paula Brandes, good friend and confidant, for her Web site expertise, trustworthy advice, and for always offering her priceless words of wisdom.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
DANIEL ANNECHINO’S passion has always been fiction, particularly thrillers. He wrote several novels early in his writing career, but it wasn’t until he authored They Never Die Quietly that he fulfilled his goal as a novelist. A native of New York, Annechino now lives in San Diego with his wife, Jennifer. He loves to cook, enjoys a glass of vintage wine, and spends lots of leisure time on the warm beaches of Southern California. He is currently working on a sequel titled Resuscitation, which he promises will be even more chilling than They Never Die Quietly.