“Thank you.” I didn’t wait for her to direct me inside. Nope, I went right in. “As I was saying, the Clarks hired me to look into their son’s death. I was wondering if I could ask you a few questions. I know you’ve already talked to the police, but it’d really help me out. All I want to do is get some resolution for Dennis’s parents.”
“You want some coffee or something?” asked Holly after a minute or so pause.
“Yes, please. Black.”
I stood in Holly’s small apartment . My eyes searched around. There were pictures of her family, a poster of some band I’d never heard of, a couch, coffee table, a TV and a metal fold-up chair.
Holly met me with two coffees in her hands. One was for me and the other, herself. She handed me one. I sat on the metal chair. She took the couch.
“So, what do you need to know, Miss…?”
“Reid, Riley Reid. I just wanted to know about Dennis’s state of mind before he was found. Was he stressed about anything? Did he get into any fights or arguments with anybody? In your opinion, was he happy? Was he clean?”
Holly put down her coffee. “Wow. Okay, one at a time.” She laughed nervously.
I took a sip. The coffee was gross. “Fair enough. How was he, leading up to the night he passed away? Was he clean?”
“As far as I knew he hadn’t touched a needle in over a year. If he was using again, I’d know.”
“How so?”
“I don’t know, I just knew. I could see it in his eyes. I could hear it in the way he talked. I’d just know. Anyway, he was clean. And he seemed happy.” Holly touched her swollen belly. “He was really excited, you know? The baby was due in less than a month. He told me he got a new job. Every thing was good.”
“And did he have any beefs or grudges with anyone? Did he get into any fights that you know of?”
“No, not that I know of.”
I took out my notepad and started writing. Why didn’t I do so as she was talking? For one, that might be considered rude. The real reason, though, was that the silence of me writing would make whomever I was interviewing nervous. They’d sit there wondering what I was writing. They’d wonder if I’d figured out any lies that they might have told. Or, they wondered if I believed their truths.
“Is that all?” asked Holly.
I closed my notepad. “That’s all.” I stood up and shook her hand. “Thank you very much for your help. And good luck with…” I pointed at her belly.
“Thank you.”
Holly had given me more than she knew by simply letting me inside. What was that guy doing in her apartment? Dennis just died weeks before. Did she get over him that easily? There was something about the tone of her voice while answering my questions. I didn’t hear either grief or sincerity.
In my line of work, you learn to spot liars and those who are hiding information. Holly was both. I’m not saying she was a bad person. Hell, everyone lies. The only thing that separates all of us liars was who, if anyone, was hurt by them. And there was a grieving family on Bainbridge Road that Holly was hurting.
Under Questioning
“I think I need to get a pet. What do you think? Should I get a dog or a cat? Maybe I’ll get a bird.” After the raid and talking to Holly, I couldn’t sleep. So I decided to go down to the police station. Across from me was Loretta, typing on her computer.
“You need to get a man. Then maybe you can get him to take you out instead of spending your free time here, with me.” There was love in what Loretta said. You just had to know where to look.
“Or a woman,” added Amy from her desk with a laugh.
“You’d like that wouldn’t you?” I answered. “Shouldn’t you be on patrol or something?”
“Shouldn’t you be in bed?”
I was killing time, waiting for Sam. He was in the sole interrogation room with Dr. Janice. It wasn’t just that I needed to know what happened. I wanted to know. At that point I was so invested, it would be like a cliffhanger.
“Relax, he’ll be out soon,” said Loretta. She noticed my impatience. Both my legs wouldn’t stop moving. They were just as I was, restless.
“I’m fine. It’s just the coffee. I had too much coffee.” I don’t know why I lied. Not wanting to appear weak had something to do with it. That lie came out too easily, though.
Loretta reached over her desk and took my styrofoam cup of coffee from me. I tried to raise an objection but was stopped by a simple raised hand from the older woman. We both knew what the gesture meant.
For another hour, I sat with Loretta. We talked about complete nonsense. I tried to change our conversation to something to do with my case and Fresh Horizons but she wasn’t interested. Even though I consider myself good at manipulating situations, Loretta Dawson was a master. My ambitions never stood a chance.
“I don’t believe it! You actually sat there and waited for me to get done?” Sam looked surprised to see me. He came out of the interrogation room looking exhausted. “What am I saying? Of course you did!”
I stood up. “So? Did you learn anything?”
Sam looked at Loretta who smiled and nodded her head. “Yeah, c’mon.”
Like we’ve done hundreds of times before, Sam and I had to escape prying eyes and ears. We couldn’t go to the holding cells because they were actually full. Instead we simply went outside.
Sam took out and lit a cigarette. It was a disgusting habit, but I needed something from him, so I kept my mouth shut. He addressed it for me. “Samantha always used to tell me that these things would kill me. That was before handing me a fresh pack. You think she was trying to send a message?”
“Don’t leave me hanging, man.” My impatience was starting to reach a crescendo.
Sam took a couple of deep drag, then started. “Well, I spent some quality time with Dr. Janice Wen. What a pleasant woman! She didn’t hold up well under questioning, though. Turns out, the doc was in charge of the distribution of heroin and marijuana in the Chesapeake Bay area for her boss. She gave us all the details on the how the operation worked but didn’t give up who she works for.
“We got Fresh Horizon’s books, which was nice. In them, there were records of where they got the drugs and how much they were.”
“Any chance I could get a peek?” I asked, hopefully.
“I suppose, but not till I’m done with it. I’ll make you some copies in a couple of days.” What Sam agreed to do was against every rule that police hold dear. His willingness to do so, for me, is the reason I liked him. At least it was one of the reasons. He was pretty easy on the eyes, too.
“Did you get anything about Dennis Clark?”
Sam sighed and threw his cigarette on the ground. He answered my question while stomping it out. “Nothing we didn’t already know. Dennis Clark was a patient at Fresh Horizons. He was admitted for addictions to heroin and prescription pills. After he got out he worked as a counselor. There was no contact between the rehab and Dennis for months before he died. In my opinion, all signs point to Fresh Horizons having nothing to do with Dennis Clark’s death.”
“I figured as much. It was worth asking anyway though, right?”
Sam started back towards the Stone Harbor Police Station front door. “That’s what being a detective is all about, asking questions .”
New Arrival
I leaned against the wall of the first floor of Reid Private Investigations. My attention was on the man installing the security system. After the break-in, I thought it prudent to upgrade my defenses. Whoever was in charge of the drug ring that ran out of Fresh Horizons was still at large. And there was no reason not to think that they wouldn’t try to kill me again.
Under my supervision, the installer wired up the whole building. There were sensors that could detect if someone tried to break or come through any of the windows. Motion detectors were put in near the front and back doors. I even had him put cameras around the outside. In all it cost me more than I was going to make on the Clark case. But staying safe wa
s worth it.
“Here are your instructions on how to set the alarm system,” said the installer. The big, sweaty guy handed me a instruction book that was bigger than most novels.
“Thank you,” I said as the installer left.
Two days had passed since the raid on Fresh Horizons. Progress on the Dennis Clark case had come to a standstill. I’d spent my free time visiting Lisa at Saint Mercy. She hadn’t suffered any permanent injury from her fall. At most, she might suffer from a stiff neck and minor headaches for a few months. But she had to stay in the hospital to recover from the surgeries for about another few weeks.
Every day I’d call the Clarks and give them any updates. When I didn’t have anything for them, I’d still call. Sometimes a client just needs to hear from you. It gives them faith that you actually care. And I did. I did care.
My cell phone rang. I looked at the number. Speak of the devil. It was the Clarks. Of course, I picked up.
“Hello?”
“Ms. Reid, this is Miranda Clark, Dennis’s mother.” That last part wasn’t necessary.
“Hi, Mrs. Clark. What can I do for you?”
“It’s Holly.”
“What about her?”
“She’s gone into labor. We’re going to Saint Mercy right now. I thought you’d like to know.”
Damn right, I wanted to know. “I’ll see you there.” I hung up. First I locked up. There was no time to read or learn how to set up my new security system. Instead, I just locked the front door and went straight to my car.
When I finally arrived at Saint Mercy, the Clarks were there already. I asked where Holly’s parents were and was told that they lived in California. They were on a plane but wouldn’t arrive in Virginia for more than four or five hours. And from what I was told, Holly and Dennis’s kid was going to make his debut in less then one.
“Do you want anything from the cafeteria?” I couldn’t just sit in those uncomfortable hospital waiting room chairs any longer. The thin and worn padding was bought based on price, not luxury. So I decided to get some coffee.
Mr. and Mrs. Clark didn’t audibly answer. They just shook their heads. The couple was holding each other’s hands tightly. Both of them were so nervous. Holly was giving birth to the only thing left of their son that wasn’t a painful memory.
I debated going to visit Lisa’s room while riding the elevator. But that wasn’t why I was there. My responsibility was to Dennis Clark and his folks. If my suspicions were correct, I was about to have the biggest break in the case yet.
The hospital cafeteria was not a place I wanted to spend any extended period of time. It smelled of unclean grills and french fry grease. No one in there enjoyed their meals. And no one was happy. They were either at work or visiting a patient. I’m convinced that if you brought in a flower, it’d immediately wilt and die. So I got my coffee and got out.
I was not ready for what had transpired while I was gone. Upon exiting the elevator, I saw Mrs. Clark crying uncontrollably. Her husband had his arms wrapped around her. Resisting all urges, I did not ask what was wrong. Hearing it from them would not have been enough. I’d have to see it with my own eyes.
When I went into the patient area and saw Holly holding her newborn, my suspicions were confirmed. The baby’s skin was considerably darker than either hers or Dennis’s. One did not have to be a genius to figure out that it wasn’t his kid. Tears cut through the sweat and rolled down Holly’s cheeks.
Suddenly flashes of the African American male who was at Holly’s apartment flooded my thoughts. That was his offspring that she was holding. Did Dennis know? Did he find out and start to use again in a depression.
Holly’s eyes met mine. Her voice wavered as she asked, “Tell them I’m sorry.”
Revelations
I’d been spending far too much time in hospitals. Therefore, I chose to wait for Holly to be discharged before talking to her again. Sam told me he tried to talk to her but got nothing. And he wasn’t one to grill a woman who just gave birth. All those emotions and hormones represented a minefield to him. I, on the other hand, had no problem with it. We would have a conversation, just between us gals.
I parked outside of Hunters Glenn. The Kennedys, Holly’s parents, were with her most of the day. They didn’t leave until late. Car seats make lousy beds but mine had to do. It had been such a busy month, rest was hard to come by.
When I awoke, it was one thirty in the morning. I’d slept for only about forty minutes. If I didn’t get moving, Holly would fall asleep before I got to talk to her. That wouldn’t do. I wanted her tired and in the mindset where she’d do or say anything to get rid of me. Mining for the truth would be easier with less dirt to dig through.
I have to admit I got the vague feeling that some serial killer was going to pop out of the shadows and grab me. Hunters Glenn was just one of those sorts of places, I guess. Holly had my respect for braving such a place.
No one answered after my first knock. So I added, “Ms. Kennedy, it’s me, Riley Reid, the private investigator. Would you please talk to me? I need to close my case. And you are the only one who can help me do so.” Still no answer, so I knocked again.
Holly didn’t open the door. Again, the African American man did. He did not look happy.
“Do you have any idea what time it is?” There was anger and annoyance in the man’s voice.
“Let her in, Cam,” I could barely hear Holly. Her voice was soft.
“But…”
“I need to get this over with.”
The man whose name I had just discovered, Cameron, moved out of my way. “I’m going to go out and get something to eat. He turned his head back towards the inside of the apartment. “You need anything?”
“No, I’m fine. Thanks.”
Cameron left and I entered the apartment. Holly was sitting on her couch with her legs up on the coffee table. Her head was back and eyes closed.
“I knew you’d be coming sooner or later. Have a seat.” Holly leaned her head forward and opened her eyes.
“Thank you.” I was grateful. I took a seat in the same metal chair I’d sat in last time I was there.
“So, I’m sure you figured out that Cameron is the father?”
“Indeed, I did.”
“I’m not a bad person, or a slut. Dennis and I were separated when I met Cameron. We had a big fight over him using my debit card to buy some phone. It wasn’t the first time that he stole from me. When he was using, he did it all the time. I told him if he ever stole from me again, we were done. That led to the fall out. Both of us agreed to take some time off from each other.” As she talked to me, Holly stared at the table.
I had to stop myself from smiling. Usually, I had to ask some tough and uncomfortable questions to get people to open up like that. Holly was giving it all to me for nothing. All I had to do was sit back and listen.
“We were apart for maybe a week or so. My girlfriends took me out to Norfolk. The plan was to get me drunk and make me forget about Dennis for at least one night. And it worked. I got really, really trashed.”
“Cameron approached me at the bar. He was nice, and smart, and funny. We hit it off, you know?” Holly looked up at me. I nodded. It was weak but I didn’t know what else to do. That sort of openness made me uncomfortable. Still does.
“Anyway, one thing led to another and I slept with him. I thought it would just be a one night stand. Other than the guilt, I didn’t think much about it afterwards. A week later, Dennis went out of his way to get back together. And we did. Things were great.
“Not long after getting back together with Dennis, I found out I was pregnant. One night I was in my bathroom. I had some take home pregnancy tests, like the ones you get from the drug store. Well, I never used them. I meant to but forgot they were there. That is, until that night.
“I took the test and voila, I found out I was pregnant. At first, I was a little scared. I mean look at me.” Again Holly looked up at me. Again I didn’t know what to d
o. “I’m not mom material. Hell, the last cat I had died because I forgot to feed it. But when I told Dennis, he was so happy.” Holly stopped herself from crying at the last moment. “Dennis was so happy, it was kinda infectious, you know?”
“Suddenly, he changed. Dennis started working longer hours. He’d come home with different things for the baby like a crib or toys. He was so excited. But I wasn’t. I faked it well, I think, but there was something hanging over my head. I knew that there was a possibility that Cameron was the father, not Dennis.”
“Why?” I had to say something.
“When we saw the doctor, he did some tests, including the ultrasound and told us that I was two months pregnant. That lined up with the time me and Dennis were apart. He never asked me if I was with someone else. He trusted me and assumed that I hadn’t been.
“More months passed and I still hadn’t told Dennis about Cameron. It just… he seemed so happy and everything was looking up, for the both of us. All that guilt just kept building up until finally it came out.
“We were here. I was upset, crying here on the couch.” Holly pats the seat next to her. “He asked me what was wrong. At first I just lied and said ‘nothing’. But he was persistent. And under pressure I just blurted it out. I told him that he might not be the father.
“Dennis was so angry at me. I thought he was going to hit me. Thinking back, I wish he had. I wish he had taken it all out on me then maybe he wouldn’t have…” She wasn’t going to keep it together. I got up and sat next to her on the couch. Despite the fact that she was pretty much a stranger, I put my arm around her. It calmed her down a bit.
“I didn’t hear from him for days. Those days turned into a week. I was really worried. Then, one night I get a call from him. At first, I was happy to hear his voice. But that quickly changed. He was high. I could hear it in his voice. And he was incoherent and talking gibberish.
“I asked Dennis where he was. His using again was my fault. If anyone was going to help him, it had to be me. He told me he was at Valentine Park, near the pond. I called my friend, Caroline. She had a car and agreed to give me a ride.
Jamie Garrett - Riley Reid 01 - Jesters and Junkies Page 7
