by Tom Benson
In the spaces at the end of the lot were two Harley Choppers, complete with extended monkey-bars, studded leather seat cushions and studded saddle-bags. The chrome on both bikes reflected the bright sunshine and captured the attention of all who parked in the lot.
The NYPD officer went indoors and lifted her shades up onto her head like an impromptu hair-band. She nodded and smiled at the 30-something woman behind the counter and then glanced at the other diners as she walked along the length of the restaurant towards the far end.
It was as Honey suggested, a classic 50’s diner, finished mainly in pink, white and chrome. It had a huge upright jukebox near the entrance. As Maria had walked through the door, Billy Joel could be heard belting out the issues of dating an ‘Uptown Girl’.
Two bikers enjoying a sizeable meal stopped to appreciate the effort Maria had made. One of them nodded at her, and she smiled knowingly. Two tables further along were seated a family of four who were squabbling over who had spilled the salt. At the next table was a pair of smartly dressed, silver-haired women holding hands, in a deep conversation, just as lovers of any age or persuasion might be.
The restaurant was a long narrow affair, not unlike a railroad carriage. At the back sitting in a booth beside a window sat an attractive blonde with long dark lashes. She was enjoying coffee and reading a map. She gave the briefest glance as Maria approached, and then she went back to her geography. Maria took a vacant table not far away, opposite the blonde. It gave her a good view of the parking lot so she would be able to watch for her friend.
A quick glance at her watch told Maria she had about ten minutes to wait. Whatever Kimberley called herself, she always had a reputation for being punctual and that wasn’t going to change. Sometimes she might be a little early, but she was never late.
The woman from behind the counter arrived at Maria’s table. Her auburn hair was held back clear of her lovely face with a broad white hair-band. The tailored fit of her classic pink and white candy-striped uniform accentuated her superb figure. The uniform included a tiny white apron with a frilled border.
Maria smiled as she looked up at the woman. The waitress was chewing gum and had one hand resting on her hip, which was jutting out to one side as she stood by the table. Maria wondered if perhaps she was researching for a part in a musical that featured a diner. The Italian was waiting for her to break into song at any moment. Maria glanced at the name badge which was positioned high on Patricia’s ample left breast.
“Coffee would be good for now please, Patricia,” Maria said. “I’m waiting for company.” Maria watched the woman’s immaculate white teeth draw back across her lower lip before she responded. She was looking into Maria’s eyes.
“No problem,” Patricia responded cheerfully, having enjoyed hearing her name being used. She eyed the dark-haired customer with more than general interest. There was an Italian influence, and she was pretty; damn pretty. The waitress absently wondered what this customer’s companion was going to look like as she returned two minutes later with coffee.
“Cream, or sugar?” Patricia asked and studied Maria’s features closely again.
“As it comes,” Maria said and glanced up at the waitress. Their eyes locked for a moment, and they smiled at each other. There was something in the waitress’s eyes, as her lashes almost fluttered, and she gently bit her lower lip as before.
Maria broke the spell and turned to look out of the window. She glanced at her watch again and listened to her drink being poured, but she continued to gaze across the lot and the ramp from the nearby highway. She turned briefly to nod her thanks to the lovely and attentive Patricia.
The Italian had always portrayed the tougher one in her friendship with her long-term flat-mate and colleague. It was only since Kimberley had put herself in danger with her personal mission that Maria realized how strong her best friend was.
Maria checked her watch again, just as the minute hand was joining the hour hand at 12. She leaned closer to the window and looked up and down the area outside. As she did, she became aware of the blonde in the corner gazing at her. Maria squinted at her, ready to tear a strip off her. She wondered if this place was a pick-up joint.
The blonde spoke quietly across the space of the two unoccupied tables.
“Is she usually good at timekeeping?”
“Yes,” Maria said and stared harder at the stranger with the sweet voice. “How did you know it was-,”
Honey placed her map on the table and stood up. She held her arms open, and her unmistakable smile lit up her face.
Maria said, “Oh my God,” as she stumbled getting up from the table and stepped toward her friend. They held each other in a close embrace, and both shed a tear. Neither cared who was watching, although the onlookers all had a different train of thought.
The two bikers looked along the restaurant, and one of them was pleased to see two attractive young women in such close contact. He nodded silently, and his whiskers twitched as his favorite fantasy played over in his mind.
The silver-haired ladies smiled. The pair hoped the girls would find happiness, just as they had so many years ago.
The father of the family group shushed his children and told them they’d have to start back on their journey soon. The few other customers were too involved with their issues to notice anything. Girls embraced each other when they met; so what.
Patricia the waitress was deeply envious of both of them. She had seen good friends hug each other before, but those two were holding each other too tight for too long, at least in Patricia’s opinion. She didn’t want to admit it was pure, unadulterated jealousy.
Maria held Honey away by the shoulders and appraised her from head to foot.
“Honey,” she said, practicing the word as a name and not as her usual nickname for her best friend. “You look incredible.”
“You’re not looking too bad yourself Italian,” Honey said, using her pet name for her friend. They both sat at the table previously occupied by Honey. Patricia approached.
Maria quickly explained that she and her companion had been in touch for a while, but had never met face to face, which was essentially the truth. Patricia seemed genuinely pleased; almost relieved. She took their orders and said a silent prayer to Aphrodite while fetching the attractive ‘friends’ two fresh coffees.
For a couple of minutes, the pair gazed at each other in silence. Honey didn’t want to talk right away, and Maria wanted to talk, but didn’t know where to start. Over the few years, they’d known each other they’d been through so much, but this was different.
They’d both had boyfriend, family, work and money issues, but the few days they had just spent apart had been very different for both of them. They’d both been without a soul mate, and it was like living without a limb.
Maria was happy to see her friend looking good, but there was a question burning in her mind. She knew she was selfish, but she figured that was what happened when you were so close to somebody.
She said, “Kimberley isn’t coming back, is she?” Her smile faded before the reply.
“No,” Honey said. “I’m afraid the woman you knew as Kimberley is gone. You won’t be able to find a gravestone, but she’s dead I’m afraid. On the plus side though, I’ve inherited her memories, knowledge, skills, and particularly charming manner.”
“If you’ll permit it, you’ll also inherit the best friend you could ever wish to have.”
“Thank you, Maria,” she said as she reached out and took the other woman’s hand. “That means more to me than you could know.”
Patricia appeared at the table with a tray, and the pair fell silent, both smiling up at the waitress as she served the food. It was only then that they let go of each other’s hand.
“Cheeseburger, fries, and lots of salad on the side; for two cute girls,” Patricia said.
“Thank you,” they said in unison and waited until they were alone before talking.
Honey said, “Thank you for savin
g my ass in Pinewood.”
“Hey, it was nothing. Besides, it’s such a pretty ass,” Maria said. “I think that guy in the green sedan was your stepfather’s partner.”
“It was Sorrenson, and he was one of the two on the phone-,”
“Okay,” Maria said. “I think I know how his future is looking.”
Honey asked about the journal, Captain Kelly, and the department.
Maria explained between chewing and swallowing mouthfuls of food. She told Honey about the journal being safely tucked away. She then went on to explain about the meetings in the office and at Lincoln Park West. When she told Honey about reading the boss’s file, it caused Honey’s eyes to open wide in disbelief.
Honey said, “So, he has his suspicions about the fire, but he’s likely to hold back on taking action?”
“No,” Maria said. “Captain Kelly knows damn sure what went down in the suburbs of Greensburg, including my intervention with Sorrenson, and I get the impression he’s only worried about what might happen next.”
“Is he angry with me?”
“Eat,” Maria said lifting a forkful of fries. “We’ll eat, and then we’ll talk.” She stuffed the food in her mouth, and her eyes were still smiling at Honey as she chewed.
As Honey ate small mouthfuls, she marveled at how her friend could eat the amount of food that she did, but still manage to look good. To keep in shape, Maria completed a punishing work-out every day, unless she was in a stake-out.
Maria finished eating first. She sipped her coffee as she watched Honey, thankful that she appeared to be in some control, even if it meant she had become a modern outlaw, and no longer a law enforcement officer.
Honey finished her meal and took a long pull of her coffee before repeating her question.
“Is Captain Kelly angry with me Maria?”
“It seems he’s only angry because like me; he knows we’ve lost you. Did you know he thought of us like daughters? I thought it sounded kind of cute until I read his file.”
Honey said, “What was in his file that makes you feel I’ll be safe from him?”
“He was married when he was a rookie police officer. At that time, his wife and daughter were kidnaped, physically abused and murdered. The guy that did it then killed himself, to avoid the lawful course of justice.” She paused. “Kelly was in therapy for a long while before he could work again.”
“That explains a lot.”
Maria said, “How so?”
“Sometimes there have been cases where the perpetrator of a crime has been shot by our guys, and then died in pain while waiting for the paramedics.”
Maria nodded; her brow furrowed.
Honey said, “On more than occasion I’ve heard the captain report in the wrong location. He’d say ‘that’s proper justice’ and then he would watch the bad guy die slowly and in extreme pain, but Kelly would remain emotionless.”
“Now that you mention it, I do recall a couple of issues arising after shooting incidents.”
Maria went on to tell Honey that she would still have to tread carefully and keep in touch, no matter what happened. Honey agreed, but wanted to make it clear that she wouldn’t involve Maria in anything that would jeopardize her career. She didn’t want Maria to be considered an accessory to what was to happen in the future; particularly the near future.
It was during a lull in their conversation that an excitable voice burst from the television screen above the counter.
“This is Caroline Connelly reporting for ISITV. Two of the staff of St. Joseph’s College are missing in mysterious circumstances. Rick and Gillian Carson have simply disappeared without a word to anyone.” The reporter turned half right to give her camera crew the chance to show the entrance gates to the college.
“The SUV owned by the couple was stopped by a patrolman two nights ago. At the time, it was being driven by a mystery woman. There are unconfirmed reports that a missing teenage girl was a passenger in the suspect vehicle. The unknown driver managed to avoid capture, having abandoned the vehicle in a local street.”
“The missing couple both work here, at the same establishment as Alan Brett, the butcher who died in the recent fire in Pinewood, near Greensburg. There is now some speculation about one of the bodies in the Pinewood house-fire. Harriet Forest was reported missing over two weeks ago. Her stepfather, DI Tony Morgan was given a leave of absence, but he has insisted on helping to unravel the mystery of the fire and the bodies in the basement of the house. We’ll keep you up to date on developments on this intriguing turn of events. This has been Caroline Connelly for ISITV.”
Honey had only glanced at the screen and then looked away.
Maria watched and listened to the reporter and then turned back to look into her friend’s eyes. Maria raised her eyebrows. In response, Honey nodded imperceptibly.
“Sweet,” Maria said quietly. “It looks like he’s going to try to get to you before you get to him.”
“Either that or he’ll use the case as a cover so he can go into hiding.”
Maria nodded. “That might be a better choice for him. He’ll live longer.”
“Not much longer,” Honey said without emotion.
Maria produced a manila envelope and handed it over the table.
“What’s this?” Honey asked.
“Remember we put away a stash of money for a rainy day - well this is that rainy day. I know you only wanted a little, but your need is greater than mine.”
Honey opened the envelope and flicked through the wad of bills.
“I can’t accept this Maria. There has to be about $5,000 in here, so half of it must be yours.”
“There’s $6,000,” Maria said and smiled. “Half of it belonged to the best friend I could ever wish to have, and she would want you to have it.” She grinned. “As for my share, I can do what I damn well please with my money.”
Honey shook her head but knew better than to argue. She put the cash away.
Maria said, “I suppose you’ve managed to acquire some documents and a bank account?”
Honey glanced at the other customers as she reached into her purse and produced a fistful of ID. She passed the small bundle over to Maria.
The detective grinned as she inspected each document, just as Honey had done.
“Whoever did these is good, very good, and a gun license too; thorough.”
“He’s also kind of cute,” Honey said and smiled. “We had lunch together.”
Maria handed back the documents and raised a shapely eyebrow.
Honey explained her secret theory that the whole of Mike’s staff were probably recipients of his particular skills. She grinned as she put the documents away again, and nodded toward the lot.
She said, “What’s with the boring beige sedan by the way - where’s your Firebird?”
“That’s a rental,” Maria said and laughed. “Since about 9am this morning my car has been ridden around by Danny, that long-haired guy from downstairs who thinks the sun shines out of my Italian butt.”
“Why would you leave him with your car?” Honey said.
“Captain Kelly’s PA had a word when I was checking in a report.”
“The Englishwoman … what is it he calls her, Sherlock?”
“Yeah,” Maria said. “She quietly reminded me that if there were any suspicions about my flat-mate’s disappearance then I would be watched closely. She said that our department hadn’t heard anything official, but it was her suggestion how I should deal with it.”
“I’m surprised she didn’t simply suggest locking the car in a garage.”
“I suggested locking it away, but she said it would be more of a diversion if anyone spotted the car on the move.”
“Which meant they could end up tailing the car and not the person?”
“Yes,” Maria said. “She said I should think about lending it to somebody, just in case I should want to take a ride out of town one day and not be followed.”
“She doesn’t give the im
pression of being somebody who thinks like that.”
“I reckon that’s what makes her effective as Captain Kelly’s PA,” Maria said. “I’m now pretty sure she does a lot more than simply file reports from those of us in the field.”
“Nobody knows her background do they?”
“No,” Maria said, “but I’m pleased she’s on our side. Anyway, I gave my admirer downstairs $50 and asked him to drive my car around for a couple of hours to listen for strange knocking noises.”
“I’d be suspicious about leaving your car with Danny for a day.”
“He’s probably harmless enough,” Maria said. “He just recognizes a good-looking chick when he sees one.” They both laughed. “While we’re on the subject of cars, what are you driving?”
“The dark blue sedan you parked alongside.”
Maria glanced outside at the Charger. “Nice wheels girl. I’m proud of you.” The smile faded, and she sipped her coffee. “Is there anything I can do to help with what you still have to do?”
“The most important thing you can do for me is how you deal with that journal, in either of the two circumstances I outlined.”
Maria said, “There is one circumstance.” She looked at Honey without humor. “You will not get caught, and you will not disappear without a trace. The only circumstance is that you will get in touch and tell me that you’ve completed the job. That is when I’ll deal with the journal.”
Honey said, “I hope that’s the way it turns out.”
“That is exactly how it will turn out,” Maria said. “Will any more of them be public?”
“Oh yes,” Honey said. “One in particular will be very public.”
“If you can’t come back, what happens afterward?”
“I don’t know yet,” Honey said. “There is one other thing you could do for me if you will.” She reached a photograph from her purse and handed it over.
“Wanted Dead or Alive,” Maria said as she screwed up her eyes and stared at the photo. “He looks like one cold bastard. Who the hell is he?”
“That’s what I’d like you to find out for me. His whereabouts, what name he goes under and what he looks like now.” Honey very briefly explained the man’s history and how she had come to know about him through using Mike’s services.
