by D E Dennis
“Mari,” he said happily, “this is a nice surprise.”
My smile dimmed a little before I said, “I’m afraid I didn’t just drop by to say hi.”
He immediately turned serious “Are you okay? Did something happen to Kali?”
“No, no,” I said quickly. “She’s fine. I’m fine.”
He cocked his head. “Is it Paxon?”
I blinked at him. “Paxon? No, why?”
“I know he was staying with you guys while he was in town.”
“Umm, how did you know that?”
He shrugged. “We went for beers the other night.”
“And again, I ask why.”
He laughed. “You know we’re friends. He wouldn’t blow through town without hitting me up.”
I pinched the bridge of my nose. “Must you two be friends? Do you really have to be?”
He chuckled. “I’m afraid so, babe. I can’t help it. I like the guy. Even though he’s trying to take you away from me.” He reached out and grabbed my hand. “But that’s not why you’re here. Tell me what happened.”
I squeezed his hand. “It’s about the―”
“Detective Davis.” Our heads swiveled to the uniformed officer standing to our right. “The captain wants to see you in her office. Now.”
He nodded at her and then turned to me. “Wait at my desk okay. I’ll be right back.”
I nodded and strode through the sea of desks, paperwork, coffee stains, and ringing phones to arrive at Arnie’s desk. I took a seat in his desk chair, for lack of anything better to do, I began straightening the files and papers on his desk.
I got so absorbed in my task, I didn’t notice her until she was upon me.
“Well, look who it is, Madame Moon herself. To what do we owe the honor?”
I slowly lifted my head.
“Detective Kindler,” I said blandly. “Good morning.”
“Good morning.” She put her hands in her pockets and rocked back on her heels. “So, what do you want?”
“You don’t need to concern yourself. I’m here to see Arnie, not you.” With that, I went back to untangling paperclips.
But Kindler wouldn’t be dismissed so easily. “Anything you have to say to my partner, you can say to me.”
The paperclips slipped through my frozen fingers.
“Partner?” I asked, my voice going a bit higher than necessary. “What do you mean partner?”
“Didn’t Davis tell you?” She tsked. “He’s my new partner now that Sangetti has found her calling as a lawyer.”
“I see,” I said through gritted teeth. I forced a smile on my face. “Well, that’s great for him. I’m sure he’s going to learn a lot from you.”
She cocked her head and replied drily, “Well, this is a new side of you. I’m glad to see you’ve matured. So spill it, psychic, what brings you down to the ZSPD?”
I looked around for him, but Arnie was still with the captain.
With a sigh, I said, “It’s about yesterday’s fire downtown. I believe I know who did it.”
She frowned and asked, “Did it? We haven’t even determined if it’s arson or not. Do you know something we don’t?”
“Tell me,” I replied. “The news said they found five bodies. Was Veronica Breyfogle, the mayor’s wife, one of the people killed?”
She pursed her lips, but answered anyway. “Yes, we found the body of a woman in what’s left of Veronica Breyfogle’s office. The body was badly burned, but the same height, weight, and red hair. We broke the bad news to the mayor just this morning, which begs the question: how do you know about it?”
I sighed, and began to explain, “A few days ago, Veronica Breyfogle came into my office and told me she thought her husband was planning to kill her. She wanted me to read him and confirm the threat so she invited me to dinner Friday night. What I sensed from him concerned me, and I told her that she needed to be careful. She told me, before I left, that she was going to confront him and then the very next day her office is burned to the ground.” I look pointedly at the detective. “That is not a coincidence,” I said firmly. “Veronica was right all along. She was murdered by her husband.”
I expected this announcement to be met with a gasp of horror, maybe even a scrambling to get her handcuffs, but all Kindler did was suck her teeth.
“You did hear me before when I said that we haven’t confirmed it’s arson, right?”
“You will,” I said stubbornly, “and Tad Breyfogle will be responsible.”
“Based on what evidence?” she said scornfully. “Claims from a now deceased woman that can’t be corroborated? Or your fake psychic ability to see into men’s souls and discover their hidden desires?” She scoffed, “Sorry, but I’m not going to haul the mayor of Zinnia Springs in based on the word of a con artist.”
Red crept into my vision with every scornful word. I was shaking, biting my lip so hard it almost bled.
I clenched my fists and began taking slow, measured breaths in and out. In and out. When I had myself under control, I offered her a smile that was closer to a grimace, but it was the best I could do.
“I understand. Thank you for your time, Detective Kindler.” I prayed that would be the end of it and she would walk away, but no such luck.
“That’s it?” She raised her brows. “You’re not going to curse me out? Attack me? Break my nose? Rip my blouse? Try to claw my eyes out?”
With difficulty, I kept the smile on my face as I asked, “Why would I do all of that?”
“It’s what you do isn’t it?” she replied. “You provoke people and then walk away claiming self-defense if they strike back?” She narrowed her eyes. “Isn’t that what you do? Isn’t that what you did...?”
I tensed.
Stiffly, I replied, “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Oh, but you do, Miss Moon. You know exactly what I’m talking about, or I should say who I’m talking about.”
I stood and Kindler’s hand flew to her baton.
I shook my head at her, sneering. “The only one here trying to provoke is you.” I absent-mindedly rubbed my abdomen. “My life was in danger and I defended myself. That’s it. And it’s pretty callous of you, Detective, to throw that horrible night in my face and make such disgusting accusations. I came here because a woman was murdered and I thought you might be interested in that, but my mistake. I’ll let you get back to your donuts.”
“Weak,” she replied, scoffing at my donut remark.
“My thoughts exactly,” I said smoothly, looking her up and down.
She stepped closer, squaring off, but if she planned to do more than stare me down she never got her chance.
“Amari? Kindler?” Arnie called. “Everything okay?”
Kindler spun on her heels and stomped off without answering.
Arnie looked at me questioningly.
“Everything is not okay,” I said angrily. “The flipping mayor of Zinnia Springs is a cold-blooded killer, but that woman can’t see past her grudge to do anything about it. I’m just going to have to prove it.”
I took off, but he grabbed my arm.
“Whoa, slow down,” he cried. “The mayor is a killer? Why do you think that? Tell me what’s going on, babe. I’m listening.” He put his hand on my shoulder and breathed out, “I’m here for you.”
My anger oozed out of me like a squished pastry.
“I know,” I said softly. “Sorry, it’s not your fault that automaton despises me.”
His lips quirked up. “She’s not so bad.”
“No, she’s worse.”
He put his hands up in surrender.
I sighed, “But she is right about one thing. I don’t have proof.”
“Proof of what?” he said patiently.
I told him about Veronica and everything that transpired over the last few days.
When I finished he grimaced.
“This is kind of difficult, babe, because,” he lowered his voice, “we both know you’re not act
ually psychic.”
Arnie knew I was a fake. We dated for years so there was no way I could fool him with that. He was in on the fake psychic secret, but not in on my real identity as an empath. He had no clue who I really was. In the beginning, I just didn’t know how to explain something like this to him and then after more time had passed it got harder.
“Even if he came off as a jerk,” Arnie said, “that doesn’t make him a killer. And as for the fire, we do have an arsonist on the loose. This really could have nothing to do with him. If it’s arson at all.”
I nodded. Arnie couldn’t act and Kindler wouldn’t listen until I gave them something they could use. And I would. Veronica came to me for help. I failed her. The least I could do now was make sure her killer didn’t get away scot-free.
“I should get going,” I said, turning to leave. “I need to pick up some things for the office.”
“Okay, but uh.” I stopped at his words. “How about we have dinner tonight? Come over to the apartment. I’ll make your favorite.”
I smiled. “I’d like that. See you tonight.”
I left the station and made my way to my car. My mind churning with thoughts of taking down one of the most powerful men in the city.
Entry Three
KALI WASN’T HOME WHEN I got back. I went straight into my bedroom and grabbed my appointment book off the desk. I flipped through until I found the number and dialed.
She picked up on the first ring.
“Madame Moon?”
“Hello, Monique,” I said. “How have you been?”
“I’ve been wonderful, Miss Moon. Jeremy and I have really turned a corner. You saved our relationship.”
“I’m so happy to hear that.” I cleared my throat. “As for why I called. I remembered during a reading you said you were an arson investigator...”
I WAS PULLING THE CHICKEN out of the oven when Kali came home.
“Mari?”
“I’m in the kitchen,” I called.
She appeared in the doorway, leaning on the frame. “Smells good. What are we having?”
“Not we,” I replied. “Just you. I’m having dinner with Arnie, but since it’s my night to cook I didn’t want to leave you hanging.”
She rested her hip against the counter. “So thoughtful of you. Thanks.” Her lips twisted into a smirk. “So I guess you and Arnie are back on.”
“It’s just dinner,” I said firmly. “I told you we’re taking things slow.”
“You’ve been taking it slow for three years,” she complained. “Just move on already and marry Paxon. Then he’ll be my brother for real.”
“Will you and your blasted grandmother stop trying to marry me off!” I snapped.
Kali laughed.
“She’s your grandmother too. And—” Kali paused when her hip began to vibrate. She reached into her pocket, pulled out her phone, and glanced at the screen. “And she happens to be calling right now.”
At that moment, my phone trilled. I leaned over to look.
“It’s Dad,” I told Kali. The landline went off the second I finished my sentence. “And whoever that is?
“Three phones going off at once?” She sighed.
I looked at Kali and asked, “Did you tell Dad about Veronica and the fire?”
Her sheepish grin was answer enough.
“How much do you want to bet they’re on their way here right now?” she asked.
I shook my head. “That’s a sucker’s bet. They’re probably already pulling into the parking lot.”
AS LUCK WOULD HAVE it, I was able to flee before the hoard descended. As soon as Kali’s dinner was done, I hopped in my car, made a pit stop to grab a bottle of wine, and then headed to my former apartment.
I was hit with nostalgia when I pulled into my favorite parking space. It was right in front of my building under a tree that helped protect my car from heating up like a Florida summer.
I climbed out and took my bottle of wine with me. I didn’t know why I was nervous. Arnie and I were former lovers and he knew me better than anyone...well, at least he knew the old me better than anyone.
I knocked on the door and it swung open almost immediately.
“Hey, Mari,” he said happily. He had a kitchen rag hanging out of his left pocket. He wiped his hands then scooped me up in a hug and placed a chaste kiss on my cheek. “I’m glad you could make it.”
“Me too,” I replied. He released me and I held up the wine. “I’ve brought the alcohol. I hope white is okay?”
“Perfect.” He moved aside for me to come in. I kicked off my shoes, padded into the kitchen, and hopped on the counter next to the sink. The same act I would do at home. “We’re having rose pasta with chicken. I hope that’s okay?”
“You know it is,” I said, salivating at the thought. “My favorite of all your culinary creations. You know, I miss your cooking the most.”
Arnie went back to the stove, chuckling.
“Just my cooking? What about my sparkling wit? Or my skills as a lover?”
“Hmmm.” I made a show of thinking about it. “Nope. No, it’s definitely the cooking that kept me around,” I teased.
The serving spoon clattered to the floor. Arnie clutched his chest and staggered.
“That hurts, Mari,” he gasped. “You’ve wounded me.”
I laughed out loud and after a minute Arnie joined in. He sidled up and rested his hands on either side of me.
He pressed his forehead against mine and whispered, “But if that’s what it takes to make you stay.”
I didn’t say anything. I couldn’t. We stayed like this, eyes closed, temples touching until the smell of burnt food made Arnie pull away. He rushed to dial down the burner.
We sat down to dinner a few minutes later, it was less than perfect, but still delicious. The conversation flowed freely.
“How are the girls?” I asked him, referring to his thirteen-year-old twin sisters.
“Odette and Wilona are doing great. Straight A’s for the both of them. Odette has decided to join drama club,” he said proudly.
“What about Wilona?” I asked around a mouthful of chicken. I swallowed and tried again. “Is she planning on joining any clubs?”
He shook his head. “I asked her, but she says she has her hands full with school and chores and...and Dad.” Arnie shifted uncomfortably and dropped his gaze to his plate.
“I thought your dad was doing better?” I asked gently.
“He is,” Arnie replied. “He is doing better, but Willy worries about him. She prefers to stay on top of him. Make sure he’s eating, getting to work on time, and taking his pills.”
I smiled. “Willy is a sweet girl. She’s kind, compassionate, caring.” I reached out and took his hand in mine. “She gets that from you.”
He smiled back, but shook his head. “Thank you, but...but I prefer to think she gets that from Mom.”
I squeezed his hand. When Arnie was a teenager his mother, a gas station clerk, was killed in a robbery gone wrong. His father went to pieces when he heard the news. He climbed into bed and didn’t get up for a year. Arnie was forced to take charge. He got a job, learned how to cook, braid hair, and help with homework so that he could support his little sisters.
His father eventually got help, but everything that happened set Arnie’s life on a different path. He chose criminal justice as his major and worked his butt off to become a detective.
Tragedy has the power to change the entire course of your life, I thought sadly.
“How is your family doing?” He cut in before my thoughts could get more morose.
I sighed deeply.
“They are their usual overbearing, overprotective, over-blunt selves,” I replied.
Arnie laughed. “I don’t think over-blunt is a word.”
“They made it a word!” I cried. “You know Imani, my stepmother, called me the other day to ask about my sex life? She said she and Dad have been going through a dry spell and the therapist said go
ing too long without being intimate can have negative emotional consequences. And of course, Kali told her it’s been a while since I’ve gone on a date, so she wanted to know my thoughts on the subject.”
Arnie laughed so hard he had tears running down his face.
His swiped a thumb across his eyes. “You gotta give them something. They’re giving you plenty of stuff to talk about for when you finally go to the psychiatrist they have been pushing you to see.”
I gasped. “That must be their plan. Inflict as must emotional damage as possible and then I’ll have no choice but to seek professional help. Let me tell you, if I hear one more thing about my father’s sex life I won’t walk, I’ll run to the loony bin.”
We collapsed into laughter.
This is what I loved about being with Arnie. He made me smile. Things were light. Easy.
I wiped the tears out of my eyes. “They are actually on their way to Zinnia Springs right now.”
He blinked. “Everyone?”
I shook my head. “Not Paxon’s parents, Ben and Mona.” Paxon and his family lived with mine in their estate in South Koruna, Florida. Again, long story. “But Grandma, Dad, Imani, and Kellan were minutes away from boarding the plane when Dad called.”
South Koruna and Zinnia Springs may have been in the same state, but unfortunately Florida was a big one. It was a nine-hour drive from South Koruna to me, so they flew to make their very frequent visits easier. Having a private jet made it easier still.
Arnie took a sip of wine before he spoke. “What brings them down?”
“Kali spilled the beans about Veronica Breyfogle’s visit and her death. They were worried about me, but they don’t need to be.”
Arnie stroked my hand with his thumb. “Maybe not, but they care about you. I’m glad they stepped in and were there for you after...after everything.”
“Yeah...me too.” I looked away.
Arnie lifted my hand and gently kissed my palm. I turned back to him with a smile.
“What about your mom?” he asked and my smile fell away.
“I don’t know how she’s doing,” I said. “She hasn’t spoken to me since I said the words ‘Madame Moon’s Psychic Readings’...two years ago.”
