"Oh?"
"You've got carte blanche. He also said that if he had to, he'd do his best to run interference for you."
I was stunned. "You're shittin' me."
He shrugged. "Nope."
Damn, I had seriously misjudged the man. "I don't know what to say."
"There's more."
I could only gape.
"He told me that he'd fight to get you back onboard if you reapplied with the department."
"No way."
"We've got a new mayor," he said. "Porter thinks he can pull it off."
It was a lot to think about and I sat there in astonishment as I wrapped my mind around it. Eventually, the waitress arrived with our food and Billy spoke again.
"Anyway, give him a call if you're interested. See my Desk Sergeant later; he has the DiCarlo stuff boxed up for you. There's a lot to go through."
"Okay."
"Oh, before I forget," he said, reaching back into his briefcase. "The gun you gave me is a no go," he added, placing the Frank revolver on the table in front of me.
"I kinda figured."
"Also, forensics ran all the fingerprints they could lift from the house. Nothing on that front as well."
"I was expecting that."
"Me too, but ya never know."
"True enough," I agreed. "What are your thoughts on a motive, Billy?"
He played with his fork and hummed for a moment. "I've rattled that around for a while now and I'm still coming up empty. My nose points me to the DiCarlo's but that's mainly because of the mystery enshrouding them."
I grunted.
"Okay, your turn. What's the interest in Tish Binkowski?"
"She just strikes me wrong," I said around a mouthful of bagel. "Plus, the Binkowskis fed me a line of bullshit. Although, I don't think they knew it was bullshit. I'm gonna go see them again after lunch."
"Hmmm," he grunted, and nodded toward the folder he'd given me. "Her sheet makes for interesting reading."
I flipped it open and started to browse while we went about our respective meals. Billy was wrong. It wasn't interesting. It was a tragedy.
"Six arrests for prostitution?"
He nodded.
"Was Sidney a customer?"
"I assume so. Can't prove it though."
"How long have they been married?"
"Almost four years."
"That means Sidney got her cleaned up. Two rehab stays three years ago."
"Probably."
"She's had three arrests for possession," I said, looking up in surprise. "How did she weasel out of those?"
"Yeah, I thought that was a little fishy myself so I looked it up," he said. "You familiar with a Lawrence Merchant?"
"Nope."
"He's a high-dollar lawyer the department would love to see gang raped and left for dead."
"I'll bet," I said with a chuckle, but then it hit me. "Hold it, where would a twenty-dollar whore get the money for an expensive mouthpiece?"
"No idea," he said with a shrug.
"She have a pimp?"
"Again, no idea."
I grunted and bent my attention back to the file. "She has no next of kin?"
"None, but never confirmed."
"Where was she born?"
He tapped a finger on the table. "Detroit, but never confirmed."
I looked up sharply. "What the hell?"
"She never spent more than six hours in custody and like I said, she had a good lawyer."
"She never saw a trial?"
"Nope, all the charges were thrown out before it ever got that far."
"And nobody was curious as to why a streetwalker had an OJ Simpson attorney?"
"Who would've had the time?"
I conceded his point with a slight nod. It might have raised an eyebrow but in a high volume society, her case would be almost instantly forgotten as soon as it was disposed of. Police work in a large city was a lot like the mail; it never stopped.
He stood up. "I've got court in about fifteen, can I have my phone back now?"
"Sure," I said with a chuckle, sliding it across the table.
He collected it with a stupid grin. "Can I call you later for details?"
"No."
He laughed and dug his wallet from a pocket. "I'll get the tab if you get the tip."
"Deal."
A bill hit the table. "Lemme know what you find out from the Binkowskis."
"Will do," I said, still reading through the file. "See ya, Billy."
"See ya."
I was so engrossed in the details of Tish Binkowski that I didn't look up when he left. I jumped in my seat and almost shrieked when whiskers brushed my face and a kiss was planted on my cheek.
"Say hi to Anabel for me," Billy whispered in my ear.
"Goddamn it, Billy. You scared the shit out of me," I said with a punch to his arm.
"Oww," he exclaimed jovially, rubbing his wounded appendage as he turned and sauntered toward the door.
I smiled at his back and reached into my jacket for a tip. When I picked up the tab I noticed with a scowl the one-dollar bill he had left behind. The jerk had stiffed me. It was kinda funny so I just snickered and put a ten on the table.
I finished my coffee as I read through the file again. This time, I picked up on something I hadn't noticed before. Tish had gotten a traffic ticket late last year in Fowler, Iowa. No big deal, but for reasons I couldn't explain, it seemed significant.
----------
Five minutes before noon I parked across the street from 'Rocket Video', checked my hair in the mirror, and made sure I had some breath mints. The mints were a must; I wanted fresh breath in case Anabel wanted a little taste of paradise.
I got out and bounced all the way to the door, ridiculously happy at the chance to see her again. I entered the store and was disappointed to find a small crowd milling about. Anabel spotted me as I walked in and came up on her tiptoes, shooting me an enthusiastic smile. I waved at her with what I know was the dumbest grin I had in my inventory and hung back to wait for the customers to filter out of the store.
I entertained myself by pretending to browse around and sneaking looks at her when I thought she wasn't watching. With every glance, I grew more anxious to be alone with her and I started to become annoyed when people didn't start leaving fast enough. Finally, when there was only one lady left in the store, Anabel came out from behind the counter and walked to the door, flipping the 'Open' sign over to read 'Closed.'
I tried not to be obvious as I zeroed in on her rear, taking great pleasure in watching the sway of her hips as she walked across the room. She turned around and I smiled, hoping my lower lip wasn't shining with drool. She gestured to the woman still present and rolled her eyes before flouncing back to her station behind the counter.
My eyes tracked irritably to the lady who was delaying my date and I cringed. Her ass was so large I almost expected to see a moon in orbit around it and she was wearing an extremely unflattering dress that could hide Rhode Island from prying eyes. To make matters worse, she was studying a rack of movies with a wishy-washy look that told me she wasn't in a hurry to choose anything.
After what seemed like half an hour of staring at her and tapping my foot impatiently, I could take it no longer. I walked up beside her and pretended to be studying the movies in front of her. My nose crinkled, the cow smelled like she bathed in sour milk.
I opened my mouth to speak but Anabel cut me off.
"Ma'am," she said from behind the counter. "I hate to rush you but I have a noon appointment that I'm already a little late for."
I drifted a few feet away to let Anabel handle it. After all, it was her store and she had dealt with the lady a hell of lot more diplomatically than I would have.
"I'm sorry, dear," the cow said. "I'll try and hurry along."
"Thank you, ma'am," Anabel said sweetly.
I snuck a peek at Anabel and could resist no longer. I wanted to be next to her so I ambled over and leaned on
the counter.
"Hiya."
"Hi," she said with a bounce, and with a quick look around, she darted forward to place a kiss on my cheek. "It's good to see you."
I gaped at her. The kiss had been the last thing I'd expected. My cheek tingled from the contact and I felt my body temperature rise several degrees.
"Close your mouth, Maddie," she whispered.
I pursed my lips and stood up straight. A little embarrassed she'd been able to flummox me so easily.
"Cute blush. Is pizza okay?"
"Huh?"
She sighed dramatically. "Pizza, you know, for lunch?"
"Sure," I giggled.
She turned to pick up the phone but the door chimes sounded as she started to dial. A guy in his twenties who obviously didn't know how to read wandered in, glancing around stupidly.
"I'm sorry," Anabel said. "We're closed for lunch."
"Oh," the guy said, looking around a second longer before leaving.
Anabel picked up the phone again and I cast a glare at the cow that was still browsing around. Surely, she had heard Anabel say the store was closed. God, people were so selfish and insensitive. They just sucked. The thought brought me up short for wasn't I selfish and insensitive? I guess I sucked too. My eyes strayed to Anabel's breasts as she spoke into the phone. Oh, I sucked all right. I'd suck all night if I had too.
"The pizza place is just down the street, it'll be about fifteen minutes."
I had to pull myself out of fantasyland to acknowledge her. "Uhm, that's fine."
"Anything you'd like to talk about while we wait?"
"I'd like to hear about you."
"You would?" she asked, shyly glancing away.
"Very much."
She shuffled her feet a little and I couldn't help but think she was just precious.
"Did you really threaten to rape Millicent and kill Whiskers?"
"Wha, what?" I stammered, the question completely blindsiding me.
"My next door neighbor. She said you threatened to,"
I came up to speed and held up a hand to cut her off. "Hold on. That horrible woman who lives next you is named Millicent?"
"Uh, yes."
"Jesus. What a god awful name. Just the sound of it makes my butt cheeks clench up."
She grinned but it faded quickly. "Well?"
"Well what?"
"Did you threaten her?"
"Who, Millicent?" I said, throwing in a shudder.
She slapped me on the arm, trying rather unsuccessfully not to smile. "Yes, Millicent."
"Yeah, I threatened her. But believe me, if the thought of raping that woman ever popped into my head. I'd shoot myself."
"I'd hope so," she mumbled.
"You'd hope I what? Rape her or shoot myself?"
I got another swat. "Shush."
I laughed, but it tapered off as I caught movement out of the corner of my eye. I had almost forgotten about the cow. It was too much. Anabel had told the woman she had an appointment and had clearly told the idiot that walked in that the store was closed. Yet the dumb, inconsiderate bitch was still browsing as if she hadn't heard any of it. Even I wasn't that selfish and insensitive.
I cleared my throat. "Excuse me, ma'am. But the store is closed and the owner has an appointment."
"Maddie," Anabel hissed.
The cow turned around as if this was news to her. "Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hold anyone up."
Liar! My temper started to slip two notches at a time.
"It's quite alright," Anabel said quickly. "But I do need to hurry along."
"I'll just be another minute. Is that okay?"
"No," I said before I could stop it.
Anabel's hand landed gently on my wrist and applied a warning squeeze.
The innocent mask the cow had been wearing fell away in an instant. "So sorry to be an inconvenience. I thought I was paying customer," she said nastily.
"I'm sorry, ma'am. You can take as," Anabel began.
I couldn't help it. "Just shut up, lady. Isn't there a box of moon pies and a Slim Fast waiting for you at home?"
"Maddie!"
The cow froze, her jaw working as the M M she had for a brain struggled for a response.
"Don't fall down on the way out. That would break my fuckin' heart."
The woman went so red in the face that I thought for a second she might explode or at least shit all over herself. She opened her mouth and I stepped forward. She didn't wait for me to take a second step and I was suitably impressed that she didn't have to turn that ass sideways to get it through the doorframe. I let a satisfied smile drift over my features.
I turned to Anabel and the smile faded rapidly. She was standing as stiff as a board with her arms crossed over her chest. The color on her cheeks was a fuming shade of crimson and the look on her face, well, she was fucking livid.
"Uhm, sorry," I mumbled lamely.
"Me too," she hissed. "Please, let yourself out."
"But."
"This my store, Maddie. My store. I depend on the customers for a living, including that bitch you just kicked out of here. I decide who to show the door, not you. And in case you missed it," she said, pointing to the exit. "There's the door."
Well, gee. Could I have possibly fucked up any worse?
----------
I sulked all the way back to the car and sat down behind the wheel. I was such a loser. No wonder I was still alone. I couldn't even stand me. I was not only selfish but monumentally insensitive. I knew I shouldn't have butted in, so why did I? Why couldn't I learn to keep my mouth shut? If I weren't a Republican, I'd seek therapy.
I started the car and felt like crying as I drove toward the station house. My attraction to Anabel was different from the one I felt with Sarah. It just seemed more natural, dumb as that sounds. Sarah was more of a sexual attraction. Not that I wasn't sexually attracted to Anabel, it just that, oh, hell. I don't know.
When I arrived at my destination, I puttered inside and got my box of files with barely a word. It had been my intention to visit the Binkowskis but I couldn't summon the energy. Instead, I went home to brood and feel sorry for myself, dumping my box on the kitchen counter and throwing myself on the couch. I fumbled for the remote, clicking on the TV and settling on 'I Love Lucy'.
How fucked up was that? I hated 'I Love Lucy'.
----------
The sun was beginning to go down when my cell phone rang. I hadn't moved in hours.
"Ledoux."
"You at home?" Joey asked.
"Yeah, why?"
"Don't go anywhere. I'm on my way over."
He hung up and I stared at the phone confusedly. I didn't have to wait long; there was a knock on the door less than ten minutes later. I extracted myself from the couch and trudged over to let him in. I blinked a few times, a little befuddled over why he'd be holding a bouquet of roses.
"What's the occasion? I know it's not my birthday."
He let himself in and brushed passed me. "They're not for you, dumbass."
I chuckled and followed him to the kitchen counter where he deposited the roses. "What's going on?"
"Just be quiet and come with me."
"Joey?"
"Come," he ordered, snapping his fingers.
He sauntered into my bedroom and I belatedly trailed after him, feeling stupid and probably looking stupid.
"In here," he said from my closet.
"Joey, what the hell are!?"
"Get in here, Maddie."
I entered the closet to see him perusing through my wardrobe. He pulled out a dress and walked over to hang it front of me.
"This one will do," he said with a satisfied nod. "Do you have shoes to match?"
I shook my head to clear it. "What the hell is going on?"
He looked at me as if I were a moron. Perhaps I was. "You're gonna get dressed up and cart your ass over to Anabel's to apologize. That is what's going on."
I felt my jaw hit my chest. "I don't thi
nk so."
"Why not?"
"She threw me out of her store," I said, placing my hands on my hips.
"Yeah, she did. And if you had pulled that crap in my shop, I would've thrown you out too."
"You talked to her?"
"Of course."
"I don't remember asking for anyone's help concerning my love life."
"If you had a love life, you wouldn't need help."
"I,I," Goddamn, that was a good point.
"Well?" he said, throwing a hand in the air. "Go get dressed."
"I'm not going."
"Maddie," he rumbled. "You're going whether you like it or not. I'll pull you over there by the ear if I have to."
I thought about that for a moment. I'd probably come off as more sincere if I showed up on her doorstep without Joey standing behind me holding a stick. Wait a second; this was way out of line!
"I'm thirty-one years old, Joey. What the hell would you know about lesbian relationships?"
"Obviously, a lot more than you do."
I scowled.
"You give up too easy, Maddie. Take it from a guy who's done more than his fair share of groveling. You fucked up, that doesn't mean you give up."
"Humph."
"Do you like her?"
I nodded.
"She likes you too."
An eyebrow crept upwards. "Really? Did she tell you that?"
He sighed. "Yeah, she passed me a note in class."
"Very funny. Really, what did she say?"
"God, you're pitiful."
Another scowl. "And why is that?"
"Because if you'd swallow your pride and bend a little every once in a while, I wouldn't be standing here right now."
I shuffled my feet. "What makes you think she won't slam the door in my face?"
"Trust me."
I began to waver.
"Well?"
I snatched the dress out of his hand and stomped into the bathroom.
----------
Thankfully, I managed to talk Joey out of following me to Anabel's, although he did warn that he'd be checking up on me later and of that, I had no doubt. The mere fact that there were more people involved in my love life than just myself and whomever I might be dating, was both sweet and infuriating. However, as much as I hated to admit it, I really did appreciate the kick in the ass.
A little part of my mind kept telling me that I was wasting my time and already had a pretty good possibility with Sarah, but considering my track record with relationships, I thought it best to keep all options available for as long as possible. Then, of course there was the fact that Gus, Joey, and Billy, had all conspired to get me to hook up with the same girl. I figured that if three guys were willing to go to such lengths to find and help me keep a girlfriend, I needed all the assistance I could get.
Stories by Kiera Dellacroix Page 85
