Scene of the Crime

by M. J. Williamz

  “Same same.”

  “Whatever. You can’t blame me for being suspicious.”

  “Look, I made a mistake. Can we please just put this behind us?”

  Cullen didn’t answer. She wished she could move on but didn’t know if she honestly could.

  “You know, I once got a weird fortune cookie from here. I wonder if I should tell the cops about it.”

  “Weird? How so?”

  “It said something about a drop. I wonder if it was referring to drugs. Wait here. I’ll go tell them.”

  Sara grabbed her arm. Hard.

  “I wouldn’t bother them. When did that happen?”

  “A few weeks ago.”

  “Then they probably know all about it. Come on, Cullen, let’s get out of here.”

  Chapter Four

  “I’m still hungry and I still want Chinese,” Cullen said when they arrived back at Sara’s house.

  “Well, we’re still in the car. Why don’t we go someplace else?”

  “Because no place else in town is as good as the House of Good Fortune. And I don’t feel like driving into the city or anything.”

  “How about Mexican?”

  “Fine. Let’s go.”

  They drove to their favorite Mexican restaurant in a nearby strip mall. It was decorated in brightly colored Mexican folk art and made Cullen think they should get away. Maybe hit the Mexican Riviera where they could forget their problems. Then she remembered that Sara wouldn’t be allowed to go anywhere anytime soon.

  How much time did one have to spend in prison for dealing cocaine? She’d have to look that up. She wasn’t looking forward to being apart from Sara that long. Sara in prison? Could it really happen? Yes. It could and it would. Would Cullen have what it took to visit her? Would she even be close enough to visit? Would Cullen be strong enough to stay faithful to her during the length of her sentence? And why did Detective Julia Stansworth just pop into her head?

  “Are you okay?” Sara reached across the table and took Cullen’s hand. “You’re awfully quiet.”

  “Rough day.”

  “Yeah? Is that why you came home early? What happened? Talk to me.”

  “If you must know,” Cullen said, “Julia came by my office to question me today.”

  “Julia?” Sara’s eyes hardened. “You mean that busybody detective?”

  “The very same.”

  “Why do you insist on treating her as a friend?”

  “I don’t.”

  “You do. You act like it’s a treat when she comes to visit.”

  “No, I don’t, Sara,” Cullen said. “She’s trying to railroad you. I don’t consider that something a friend does.”

  “Still, you get all puppy dog eyes whenever she shows up.”

  “I do not. Sara, drop it. We have enough problems right now without accusing me of something like that.”

  “Look, I really am sorry about my legal problems. I’d understand if you didn’t want to see me anymore.”

  “Listen to me. I’m committed to you. I’ll ride this whole thing out with you.”

  “It’s my first count,” Sara said. “I’ll probably get off easy.”

  “I hope so.” Cullen was tired of talking about it. They were in public and she had no idea how many ears were listening. “So, what would you like for dinner?”

  “A margarita or three or four.”

  Cullen laughed.

  “I’ll get a pitcher.”

  “Or two.”

  “Or two.”

  “You go ahead and order. I need to use the restroom.”

  Cullen had poured them each a glass by the time Sara came out. Cullen didn’t miss her wide pupils and the residue around her nostril.

  “Wipe your nose.” Cullen was disgusted. “Can’t you lay off that stuff even for a little while?”

  “I’m stressed and it calms me.”

  “It’s an upper. It can’t calm you. Whatever. The waitress will be back in a minute to take our order. Unless you were serious about drinking dinner.”

  “I’ll get food. I’m hungry.”

  “Right.”

  “Cullen?”

  “What?”

  “I’ll quit if it’s that important to you.”

  “It is that important to me. I don’t know that we’d ever have gotten together if I’d known you had that habit.”

  Sara’s eyebrows shot up.

  “Really?”

  “Really. Look, it’s not something I’ve ever been into. So I don’t understand it.”

  “Maybe if you tried some…”

  “What the fuck? Seriously? Don’t ever suggest that again.”

  “Fine.”

  They ate their dinner in silence. Cullen was fuming, and no amount of margaritas was going to calm her down. They finished their second pitcher and Cullen paid. They left the restaurant and walked separately to Cullen’s truck. Once inside, Sara turned to look at her.

  “Cullen, please talk to me. I can’t handle the silent treatment.”

  “You were out of line back there.”

  “I’m sorry. It was just a suggestion. One I won’t make again. Please don’t give me the cold shoulder anymore.”

  “Not only do I not want you pushing coke on me, I want you to quit doing it. Can you do that?”

  “I can and I will. For you.”

  “Thank you.”

  Cullen started the truck and drove home. Once in the house, she headed for the refrigerator, as she wanted beer, lots of beer. She cringed when she felt Sara pressing into her back.

  “What do you say we go to bed early?” Sara whispered.

  Cullen pulled away.

  “I’m not in the mood, Sara.”

  “What? How can you say that? You’re always in the mood.”

  “Yeah? Well, I’m not now.”

  “I’ll go put on something a little more comfortable and then we’ll see.”

  Cullen took a long pull off her beer and listened to Sara’s footsteps on the stairs. She didn’t care what Sara put on, she wasn’t going to make love to her. The timing wasn’t right and it would take her a while to get over Sara suggesting she try cocaine. Did she want her to get hooked so she could make money off her? Her stomach roiled. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d been that angry. What a day. What a lousy, fucked up day.

  True to her word, Sara came downstairs wearing a cobalt blue baby doll nightie. Cullen had to admit, she looked like a million bucks. She was also sniffling, and Cullen knew she’d just snorted more cocaine. Sara tried to snuggle against her on the couch, but Cullen didn’t want to be that close to her. She stood.

  “I’ll get you a glass of wine.”

  Cullen stormed into the kitchen and poured Sara another glass of wine before helping herself to another beer. She walked back out to the living room and handed Sara her glass. She took her beer and sat in the recliner.

  “Why are you sitting way over there?” Sara pouted.

  “I need some space.”

  “And yet you’re here. You could easily go to your place if you need so much space.”

  “Is that what you want?” Cullen said.

  “No. Is it what you want?”

  “I don’t know. I don’t think so. Just don’t throw yourself at me. Not tonight, please.”

  “What do you want from me, Cullen?”

  “I want you to get clean. I want you to allow us to get back to normal.”

  “Look, I’m sorry I got caught. If I’d had my way, you never would have known about my business ventures.”

  “No? So you would have continued a relationship based on lies?”

  “Why do you have to put it that way?” Sara said.

  “Because that’s the way it is.” She stood and placed her bottle on the coffee table. “You know what? I’m out of here. Turns out you were right. I need more space.”

  Sara reached for her hand.

  “Cullen. Don’t go.”

  “I’ll see you tomorrow. I�
�ll come over after work or I’ll text you. Good night.”

  * * *

  Julia pulled up in front of Sara’s house. She really didn’t have anything new to ask her, and yet there she was, ringing the doorbell.

  Sara opened the door looking almost excited, but her face fell when she saw Julia.

  “You were expecting someone else?” Julia said.

  “Yes. What do you want?”

  “Can I come in?”

  “Do I have a choice? Look, this is a really bad time. Cullen and I just had a fight and I’m not really in the mood to deal with you.”

  Julia took in the wide pupils and clenched jaw. Clearly, Sara was coked up again. She wondered, and hoped, that that was the reason she and Cullen had fought.

  “Fine. I won’t keep you. Just tell me this, do you have an alibi yet?”

  “I’m still working on it.”

  “Work harder. And faster.”

  Sara closed the door in her face before Julia could ask where Cullen lived. No biggie. She’d look her up in the database. Not that she knew what questions she was going to ask, but the fact that she and Cullen had just had a fight might make her more vulnerable. Maybe she’d open up and say some negative things about Sara that might help Julia in her case.

  She found Cullen’s house and parked in the driveway. Her porch didn’t have much of an overhang, and Julia knew she was going to get drenched waiting for her. Oh well. A little rain never hurt anybody.

  Julia knocked on the door. There was no answer. The rain pummeled her and she thought about giving up, but she really wanted to question Cullen while she was still mad. She rang the doorbell again but still got no answer.

  She fumbled in her pocket, pulled out her cell, and called Cullen.

  “Hello?”

  “Cullen? It’s Julia. I’m on your doorstep and it’s pissing down. Would you please open the door?”

  The line went dead, and a few moments later Cullen opened the door.

  “Sorry about that. I thought you were someone else.”

  “Like Sara?”

  “Yeah. Come on in. I’ll get you a towel and some sweats. We can dry your wet clothes while we chat.”

  “That would be great, thanks. It’s really coming down out there.”

  “Welcome to Oregon in the fall.”

  “No doubt.”

  Cullen disappeared down the hallway and returned with gray sweatpants and an Oregon Duck hoodie. She motioned for Julia to follow her and led her to a large bathroom.

  “The towels are in there.” Cullen pointed to a cabinet. “Help yourself.”

  “Thanks.”

  She changed out of her wet clothes and hung them over the shower rod to dry. She went to the living room to find Cullen holding two beers.

  “I know it’s not a social call, but you look like you could use a beer.”

  “I’ll gladly take it and we can turn it into a social call, I don’t care. After I ask you a few questions anyway.”

  Cullen lowered herself onto the black couch and Julia sat in the leather recliner.

  “So you and Sara had a fight, huh?” Julia said.

  “Is that what she told you?”

  “Yes.”

  “It wasn’t really a fight. Look, I really don’t want to talk about it.”

  “Ah, but I have to know. What did you fight about?”

  “Let’s just say my reaction to her arrest is less nonchalant than hers.”

  Julia raised her eyebrows.

  “Her attitude is nonchalant?”

  “Yeah. She seems to think it’s no biggie.”

  “How much coke does she usually do?” Julia asked.

  “Who says she does any? Maybe she’s just a dealer.”

  “I’ve been a cop long enough to know the symptoms of cocaine use. Her pupils were like saucers tonight, she kept clenching her jaw, and her nose was red. How much does she do?”

  “I have no idea. I wouldn’t even know how to hazard a guess.”

  “Did she say anything about Montague? Because I’m sure confessing to murder would have been grounds for you to leave her.”

  To Julia’s surprise, Cullen laughed, showing off two deep dimples in her cheeks. Cullen wasn’t bad looking. She should smile more. All she ever did was sneer at Julia though.

  “Nice try, but no, she swears she’s innocent.”

  “Yet she has no one to corroborate her story.”

  “True statement. You ready for another beer?”

  “Not yet, but go ahead and get one. I’ll wait.”

  “No, I’m the one who’ll wait. I don’t need to pound them. Especially since I’ve got company now.”

  “Is that what I am?”

  “Sure. You said we could chat while your clothes dry. Just let me know when your interrogation is over.”

  It was Julia’s turn to laugh. Cullen was so easy to be around. She did a mental run through of her notes and couldn’t think of anything really she needed to ask Cullen.

  “Do you have anything, anything at all, you want to tell me, Cullen? About Sara and her habit? Her income? Her involvement in Montague’s murder?”

  “I’ve got nothing. Look, we went out to dinner and got in an argument and it just kind of escalated when we got back to her house, so I left. There’s really nothing to tell.”

  “Well, I’d guess from the way she was dressed when I got there, that she was hoping you’d come back so you could make up.”

  “Oh, God,” Cullen said. “Tell me she wasn’t still in that baby doll?”

  Julia smiled.

  “She was indeed and she didn’t look half bad if you’re into femmy femmes.”

  “And you’re not?”

  “Not really, no.”

  “Okay, well, that’s embarrassing. I’m sorry you had to see that.”

  “No worries. Okay, so, interrogation over. What shall we talk about?”

  “Do you remember me from high school?” Cullen asked.

  “Sure. You were the star of the junior varsity basketball and softball teams. I remember watching you play. Do you remember me?”

  “Of course, you were a couple years ahead of me and the star of the varsity teams. I always admired you.”

  “Thank you, that’s very sweet.”

  “What happened to you after high school? I lost track of you.”

  “I took some time off before college and traveled around the country. When I came back to town, you were gone.”

  “Ah, right, and I went straight from high school to Oregon. I couldn’t wait to get out of Bidwell.”

  “And then you couldn’t wait to come back?”

  “What can I say? I got a killer job offer in Portland and couldn’t pass it up.”

  “Good for you. I ended up at Portland State and got my degree in criminal justice. Landed a job with the Portland Police Bureau and never looked back.”

  “Who knew our paths would cross again someday?”

  Julia grew serious.

  “I really hope you’re not involved in any of Sara’s extracurriculars. I think it would kill me to have to arrest you.”

  “No worries, my friend. I’m as disgusted as you are at her activities. I guess it’s finally sunk in how into drugs she really is.”

  “Do you get it, Cullen? Do you fully grasp the concept that she’s the number one suspect in a murder investigation? Murder.”

  “I don’t know. Like I told you, she wouldn’t harm a flea. I don’t see her killing anyone for any reason.”

  “I wish I had your faith in her,” Julia said.

  “Me, too.” They sat in silence for a few minutes. “You ready for another beer now?”

  “Sure. What the heck? I’m off the clock.”

  Chapter Five

  Cullen spent the next day nursing a slight hangover and thinking about Sara. And Julia. They had had too many beers the night before, polishing off a twelve-pack between them. In a show of complete responsibility, Julia had crashed in her spare room rather th
an drive.

  They’d had such a good time reminiscing. And after Cullen had had a few too many, she’d asked Julia what she was into if she wasn’t into girly girls.

  “I don’t know,” Julia had said. “I’m more into people than facades.”

  “How would you classify yourself? You’re certainly not a femme.”

  “I think of myself as soft butch. Not a hardcore diesel dyke by any stretch.”

  Cullen had laughed so hard her stomach hurt.

  “Is that what you think I am? Hardcore?”

  “No. And you’re definitely not soft either. You’re just plain old butch I guess.”

  “Plain old, huh?”

  “Yep.”

  Cullen smiled as she reflected on the time they’d shared. She’d almost had to pinch herself to believe it was real. Julia Stansworth. The Julia Stansworth had been drinking beer with her. She’d never in a million years have dreamed that would ever happen.

  But the night of frivolity was over and Julia was back at work trying to prove Sara was a murderer. And Sara? Sara. She’d better call her and see how she was. But she didn’t want to. She’d show up after work, just like she’d said she would. They’d talk things out, or maybe they wouldn’t. Either way Cullen knew she’d spend the night. She needed Sara. It had been too long since she’d enjoyed that body.

  Hopefully, Sara would be coke free and Cullen would be able to relax around her. Something had to give where her drug habit was concerned. She’d told Cullen she’d quit. So had she? Was she really trying?

  The rest of the day dragged on for Cullen who managed to stay until quitting time. At four thirty, she hopped in her truck and drove through traffic to reach Sara’s house, but Sara wasn’t home.

  Cullen used her key to let herself in and went to the kitchen to get a beer out of the fridge. She wandered into the living room, but then her curiosity got the better of her. She set her beer on the coffee table and took the stairs up to Sara’s bedroom two at a time.

  She felt a momentary pang of guilt, but soon got over it. She tore open the dresser drawers looking for Sara’s stash but found nothing. She was about to give up and go downstairs feeling horrible for doubting Sara’s attempt to get clean when she remembered Sara’s little dressing table.

  Cullen opened the sides and slid out the middle drawer. There was a mirror covered in white residue, a razor blade, and several vials. She briefly contemplated pouring the coke down the toilet but didn’t. Instead, she hurried back down the stairs and opened the front door to leave.