Rita’s heart sped up. “Yes. What’s wrong?”
The officer continued. “Somebody slashed your tires. Mr. Adams saw two people.”
Rita looked at the men, knots in her stomach. Gathering herself together she bent down and checked out one tire. “What the … ? My new tires?”
Sunny circled around to the passenger side. “Damn. I can’t believe these things keep happening. Is someone targeting us?” She stopped and looked at the trunk. “They keyed the trunk, Rita. Officer, did you see the trunk?”
“No. I didn’t.”
Sunny motioned for him to take a look. He walked to the back of the car. “That’s really observant,” he said.
“I’ve had some training,” she answered. “I’m a fraud investigator in San Francisco.”
Rita joined them at the back of her car. She shook her head, took in a deep breath, and stood up, looking throughout the parking lot for other possible witnesses. Mr. Adams was looking around also, obviously shaken. It was as if he was being protective of them. That was nice, for a change.
Mr. Adams had seen enough to call the cops. Rita wanted to talk to him. She joined the men at the front of the car.
Mr. Adams leaned toward Rita. “I saw them bending down. At first I thought they needed help. When I saw the one slashing at the tire, I yelled, and they got up and ran off.”
“Male or female?” asked Rita, wondering if it could have been Eva and her friend.
Mr. Adams looked directly at them. “I’m sorry. They had jackets with hoods. I only saw them from the back. But when they took off I did notice that they were both slender. One was shorter than the other.”
Sunny stared at the policeman whose buttons were pulling against the buttonholes. He removed his cap and ran his meaty fingers through his thin blond buzz cut.
He didn’t look up as he pulled his notebook out of his shirt pocket and got busy writing. Suddenly he stopped and asked Rita, “Registration and license, ma’am?”
“What? Why? This is my car. I’m not going to claim a car with two slashed tires.”
“I know, ma’am. Procedure.”
Rita passed her mother on her way to the passenger side and got in. She opened her glove compartment and retrieved the documents, grabbing them, along with her license from her wallet. “Crap. This is a mess. What kind of jerks would do this and why? Eww, he called me ‘ma’am.’”
Rita opened the door and walked by her mom. A small whirlwind of dust circled around the flat tire. Rita gave her documents to the officer.
“Do you have any idea who might have done this?” he asked.
Rita looked from the cop to her mother.
Moving to the back of the car, Sunny dropped to her knees. She was engrossed in the back tire. She didn’t know if a voice emanated from the little whirlwind, or was it her instinct? She looked under the wheel and found a small pointed triangular silvery item. It looked like part of a bottle opener.
Sunny held it out to the cop. “Here. I found this under the tire, something to key a trunk with?”
The cop’s eyebrows shot up and his mouth turned down in surprised admiration.
“That’s my mom,” Rita said. “One of the best fraud investigators ever.”
Sunny spoke up. “Officer, I can understand one tire being an accident, or maybe mischief. But two tires and a keyed trunk indicate a targeted attack.”
“You could be right, ma’am,” he said.
“Yes, she’s right,” Rita said. “I have a good idea who could have done this. We’ve had some weird and terrible things happen to us these past few weeks. My mother’s car was rammed from behind repeatedly when both of us were in it … on the highway. I get hang-ups, nearly nonstop.”
The officer looked at them and gave Rita back her documents. “Did you call the police and file a report?
“No, we didn’t. We’re still not certain who’s doing this. When the ramming happened it was dark and pouring down rain.”
“Too bad they got away.” Rita shook her head in disgust.
Sunny turned to Rita. “It sounds like Eva. She knows your car, and she and her friend were in the casino tonight.”
“I’m sorry. Did you say you think you do know who’s doing all of this? Or do you know you know? You can come into the station tomorrow and make out a harassment report. Might be hard to prove, but it will be on record.” Officer Boyle asked, “For now, do you ladies have anyone who could come help you? A friend? Triple A?”
Rita spoke up. “Yes, I have Triple A. I live on Park Street, close to the police station. I have a spare tire in my trunk and another one in my garage. I just bought these two tires. They were brand-new. I kept one for a spare.”
“Good thinking. Keeping a spare is smart,” Mr. Adams said.
Officer Boyle looked at Rita. “Yes, you’re lucky. Sorry. Well, I guess we’re finished here. Maybe you could take a taxi back or call a friend.”
“Let me drive you home,” Mr. Adams said. “I wish I’d arrived earlier, maybe I could have prevented it. I can help you bring the other tire back.”
“We appreciate what you did, Mr. Adams,” said Sunny.
Rita nodded. “Yes. But we’ll be fine.”
“No, I insist. Look at what parking floor you’re on here, and you can call Triple A when you’re leaving your house. It’ll take them a while.”
“Well, I don’t know. What do you think, Mom?”
Officer Boyle spoke before Sunny could answer. “I have Mr. Adams’s name and address, if that’s a concern.”
“All right, thank you.” Sunny and Rita followed Mr. Adams and got in his brown Mercedes, Rita in the front, Sunny, in the back. The car matched his clothes: brown slacks and a tan shirt with a brown suede Western jacket.
Mr. Adams was quiet on the drive and finally they pulled into the driveway. He kept the motor running and popped his trunk. Rita and Sunny got out and hurried to the garage.
“We’ll get it,” Rita called to him.
They rolled the tire out to the car. While Mr. Adams put it in his trunk, Sunny got back in and Rita ran into the house to call AAA.
Later, as they drove into Cal Neva’s parking garage, AAA had not yet arrived. After a half hour, Mr. Adams said goodbye. As they thanked him the mechanic showed up. He replaced two tires, quick and easy, and was gone. Sunny was glad they’d called AAA. It made the night easier somehow, as did the cop and Mr. Adams.
It was all done in a matter of minutes, but they were left wondering who and why.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
At home they discussed what had happened. Rita eyes flashed fire. She was livid. They both were.
“It’s Eva. It has to be.”
Sunny patted her knee. “You need to get some sleep. Worry won’t help anything right now.” Rita hugged her and headed for bed.
Sunny stayed on the couch. Rage flooded her. She felt like killing Eva for doing this. But she needed proof. She began to formulate a plan.
Although it was late Sunny wanted to call Barry to share her good news, and the bad news. She missed her best friend. She needed him now.
“Hello?” Barry sounded groggy.
“Hi, sorry if I woke you. I have some bad news and great news. Which do you want first?”
“I’ll take the bad news first. That’ll wake me up.”
Sunny finished telling him about Rita’s slashed tires and keyed trunk. She withheld the other things that had been happening. A little at a time.
“Damn! Well, at least the guy helped out. And he called the police. Both of you go down and sign a harassment statement. Whether or not they’re ever caught you’ll have it on record.”
“We will. Now for the good news. I’m so excited! I couldn’t wait. I won a thousand dollars!”
“Wow, great. I get half, right? Community property.”
“No,” she kidded. “I won it in Nevada, so it doesn’t apply in California.”
“Won’t fly, babe. It’s the same law in Nevada. I’m an of
ficer of the court, remember?”
“Probation Department doesn’t count.”
They shared a happy, close moment. Her heart was full of longing for him. She loved his humor, needed his friendship. Regardless of how things were, she missed her husband.
“How’s everything else going?”
“Rita and Lee broke up. She found out he’s a cheating asshole.” Sunny told him about Lee using Rita’s car, the money, and about the so-called real estate agent.
“Good. There was something about him I didn’t like … or trust. I’m glad she’s rid of him.”
Sunny shook a cigarette loose from its pack and lit it. “What’s going on with you?”
“If you’re asking if I’m drinking, the answer is no. I’ve worked on the house, both inside and outside.” He chuckled. “The broken window was from a baseball. I found it under the dresser.”
“Good. Go back to sleep. I’ll call you tomorrow.”
“All right, you be careful. I love you.”
“I know. Good night.” She wanted to say I love you too, but couldn’t. Not yet. They’d been through so much. She had no idea if their marriage was going to work out.
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
SUNDAY AFTERNOON
Rita had talked Sunny into getting her hair styled and her nails done. As they headed to the salon Sunny said, “I wish our shops in California were open on Sunday.”
“Reno’s a twenty-four seven town, not like other places.”
Later, while Rita cut her hair, her mother said, “Getting the whole beauty treatment is a great way to relax. Thank you. It’s what I needed.”
The chime on the door rang. A woman bustled in, a stack of business cards in her hand. She walked right up to Rita and handed her one. Madam Carmen—Psychic. Fortunes Read. The woman’s straight black hair was held at the nape with a large turquoise comb. “I’m from Guatemala,” she said, her speech heavily accented. “I read fortunes my whole life. I like to read yours.”
Rita looked at the card and handed it back. “You can put your business cards on the desk, but don’t bother my customers.”
Sunny sat straighter. “I’ll let you tell my fortune.”
“Ma’am?”
“Come back after the salon closes at five thirty,” Sunny added.
“Okay. Thank you, ma’am.”
Rita finished combing her mother’s hair. “Do you think that’s a good idea?”
“You know I’m always intrigued by fortune tellers. I have my own visions. So many strange things go on. I might be able to learn something. This could be interesting.”
“Well, don’t tell her a thing. Let her do the talking.”
When Rita’s employees left she tidied the salon, then pulled a manicure table over. They sat and waited.
At exactly five thirty Madam Carmen walked in, dressed in an ankle-length ebony dress. She wore a matching scarf with a black cape draped over her shoulders. A large black felt hat shaded part of her face. She sat opposite Sunny and produced a well-used deck of tarot cards wrapped in a silk scarf from an oversized tote bag. Piously peeling off the silk, then shuffling the cards, Madam Carmen asked Sunny to cut them into three stacks: one for the past; the second the present; and lastly, the future. Watching Sunny intently, she turned each one facedown on the table.
The fortune teller instructed, “Think who or what you want to ask cards about. I’ll know.”
Sunny nodded. Did Gina kill herself? Why? What happened?
Madam Carmen dipped her head in acknowledgment and began turning the cards over. “I see turmoil in your family, many things are there. You married, yes? Someone else interested in you. Be careful. Not good energy around you. Do not trust friends … jealous people around you.” Madam Carmen studied them. Her eyebrows drew together in a wrinkled V as she studied the faded Death card. “Hmm, you have tragedy, yes?”
Rita sat up and took notice. Sunny turned and looked at her daughter, then back at the fortune teller. “Yes.”
“Woman, close friend, she try to contact you … so you know truth. I see you have gift of spirits also. See, here in card.”
Sunny looked at the cards but they had been used so much the images were faded. She leaned over the table and saw the king next to the emperor. “I see the emperor in the chair covered with a red cape, holding a specter and sword. The king sits on the throne covered with a patterned cloth.”
“Emperor: father figure of cards,” said Madam Carmen staring at it. “Something wrong. Needs fix. You can fix.”
“Does it say anything else? Like how?”
“Many people in this circle. You know what your friend wants. Don’t be fooled by outsiders. She want to help you find truth. She has journey to finish.” Madam Carmen suddenly stopped and looked around. Her large dark eyes grew larger.
“Can you feel her spirit here?” Sunny rubbed her goose-bumpy arms.
“I finish. Time up, I go.” With shaking hands the fortune teller gathered her tarot deck. She dropped some, looked around, and nervously picked them up. The rest she threw in her bag and rushed out the door before Rita and Sunny were even out of their chairs.
“Wait!” Sunny and Rita hollered in unison as the fortune teller shot like lightning down the sidewalk.
“What was that about?” Rita asked, combing her fingers through her hair as she glanced after the fortune teller as the salon door banged shut.
“I’m not sure.”
SUNDAY EARLY EVENING
On the way home Sunny and Rita stopped at Juicy’s for hamburgers. Rita stayed in the car and waited. Sunny was ordering when a man behind her murmured in her ear, “You still have your great high school figure.”
She whipped around. About to tell him to mind his own business, she came face-to-face with Gerald, her ex-fiancé. She was shocked to see him. “You didn’t know me in high school,” Sunny said, dismissively, regretting even answering him.
They picked up their orders and stepped outside. “Doesn’t matter. You look terrific.”
“You probably shouldn’t be saying that to me. You-know-who might get offended and blow a gasket. I know it’s not my business, but why are you dating Eva?”
“Believe it or not, she’s fun. Kooky.”
“You mean cuckoo, don’t you? Like wacko?” She smiled. Talking with him seemed odd, but easier now.
“She’s not uptight, like somebody else I know.”
Sunny’s mouth gaped and her eyes widened as she pointed to herself. “Are you talking about me? I’m fun,” she said and scrunched her eyes at him.
“Sure.” He winked at her. “Can I call you while you’re here?”
Sunny’s anger rose. “No. I’m married. And I’m uptight, remember? You’re with her. You stay on your own side of the street. Bye.”
“There’s no ring in my nose. I’ll call you,” he shouted after her.
Sunny hurried to the car, her face hot. “I won’t be picking up.”
“What happened?” asked Rita. “Isn’t that Eva’s boyfriend?”
Sunny slid onto the car seat and handed Rita the bags of food and large paper cups of soft drinks.
Staring straight ahead, she started the car. “Yeah. Ran into Gerald. He flirted with me, then insulted me. Said I’m uptight. Humph. End of story.” Gripping the wheel she pursed her lips, unwilling to answer any of Rita’s questions about him.
On the ride home music filled the car. Sunny’s mind was going in a hundred different directions. They were met at the door by Floyd’s strong mee-oww. He weaved in and out of Rita’s legs, begging for attention. After they finished their hamburgers and colas, Rita went to close the blinds.
“Mom, look outside. There’s a car parked across the street. It looks like Jesse’s. I noticed it when we came home. Someone’s in it, smoking a cigarette. I can see the glow.”
Sunny went to the window. “If it’s Jesse, go out and tell him to come on in. It’s starting to rain. I’m looking for the papers I found at his place.”
“Are you sure it was him?”
“Not really, but the car’s the same make and model as his.”
Sunny sat at the big oak table and finished the last of her cola. “This entire day has been strange. Starting with the gypsy, or whatever she was. The whole scene was eerie. At least now I know Gina really does want our help.”
“What about that car?” Rita said, biting her nails. “Do you think it could be Eva? She seems to be everywhere and into everyone’s business. And she bought herself the same car as Jesse’s.”
“Or it could simply be someone reading a map. Something might be going on, but I don’t want to overreact. I want to be sure,” Sunny said.
“Well, we didn’t imagine almost getting run off the road. Or my tires being slashed. Eva’s crazy enough to do it.”
Sunny nodded. “She is crazy.”
Moving down the hall, Rita announced, “I’m going to take a shower.”
Finished with her shower, she came out, removed Floyd from the chair, then brushed cat hair off the cushion so she could sit next to her mom. “What’s up?”
The ringing of the phone interrupted their conversation. Rita got up to answer. “If it’s another hang-up I’m going to scream.”
It wasn’t. It was Jesse.
“Hi, Jesse,” Rita said. “How’re you doing? Did you come by earlier tonight?” She looked at her mom, shook her head and shrugged her shoulders.
“I’m relaxing, and Mom’s looking for those papers she found at your house.”
Sunny jumped up, almost knocking over the table. She shook her head and waved her hands in a panic.
“Uhh, never mind, it’s not important. What’s up?” She listened. “I don’t know … Is Eva going to be there?”
Looking at her mom, she poked her fingers into her mouth, making a gagging motion. “I’ll call you when I’m ready.” Pausing, she went on. “Okay? Bye.”
“Mom, what’s going on with you? I thought Jesse knew you took those papers.”
“No! No one does. Someone tore them up and threw them in Gina’s wastebasket. We don’t know yet why Gina killed herself, or if, who, or why. Until I figure it out I don’t want anyone to know I’m looking into this. Not about my book or the papers or anything, especially Jesse. He could have something to do with this. Or he could tell Eva. She could have done it. Maybe even Victor. And who knows who else?”
Whispers in the Wind Page 12
