by Darcia Helle
“I followed him. He takes his freakin’ dog to day care. You believe that shit? Then he goes to work. He’s a pediatrician with a dog in day care. But no kid. So I call the lady, ask her if he could have stashed the kid somewhere until the divorce is final. You know what she tells me?”
“I can’t even imagine,” Michael said.
“He takes the baby to day care every day,” Sean said. “Chelsea is a damn dog. She wants her husband taken out because of a damn dog.”
Michael burst into laughter. Sean scowled and said, “I don’t see the humor.”
“Sure you do,” Michael said. “You’re just pissed that she had you feeling bad for her.”
“The guy takes the freakin’ dog to day care,” Sean muttered. “You see, this is why I don’t want to know details.”
Realizing what was truly bothering Sean, Michael said, “You don’t want to do it.”
Sean’s scowl deepened. “I’ve been hanging around you too long.”
Michael laughed, holding his hands up in mock surrender. “I am not responsible for your conscience.”
“I don’t have a freakin’ conscience.”
“Okay, so you have a strong affinity for pediatricians who take their dogs to day care.”
“Asshole.”
“Don’t do the job.”
“I’m thinking of doing her instead.”
“There you go,” Michael said. “That’ll solve the problem.”
“Oh hell,” Sean muttered. “What about you? I hear your guy’s still breathing?”
“Yeah. That’s why I’m here.”
“You want to trade jobs?”
“No way.”
“Some friend.”
“I heard some interesting stuff today,” Michael said.
He repeated what Isaac had told him. Sean listened intently. He said, “That guy’s an even bigger scum than I thought.”
“Looks that way.”
“What do you need from me?”
“Have you heard anything about this?” Michael asked. “Any idea who else might be involved?”
“No. The kind of person who’d be into watching kids wouldn’t have anything to say to me. Not if that person wanted to continue to breathe.”
“The cops are going to be all over this.”
“I’d imagine.”
“I’ve got Lott and Wiz, the Lincoln driver, covered,” Michael said. “But I haven’t been able to ID the other two. From what you told me, I know one is Darius, the cousin. But his last name isn’t Lott. I haven’t been able to come up with anything and I don’t have time to be following them each around.”
“You need names, addresses.”
“Yeah.” Michael handed Sean his phone. “Got their pictures if that helps.”
Sean took Michael’s phone, sent the pictures to himself, and said, “I’ll see what I can do.”
Chapter 43
Nicki had listened to the garage door close and the hum of the Porsche’s engine as Michael drove away. She’d stayed on the couch, watching TV and trying to be interested in the drama surrounding the characters. She’d made coffee, eaten half a package of cookies, then jogged in place for ten minutes.
She had a charged kind of energy that made it impossible to sit still. She switched channels, paced, switched channels again. Now she gave up and shut the TV off. The guilt was driving her crazy. Guilt for what she’d dragged Michael into. And guilt that she found what he did oddly arousing.
Nicki had been attracted to Michael from the very beginning. He was incredibly handsome. The sex had been amazing. Nothing about their time together had ever made her feel like a paid hooker. Never before, or since, had she been with a man who made her feel the way Michael had. But the connection went far beyond that. At least for her it did.
When Michael had backed off on the sex, she’d understood. After all, she’d still been hooking at the time. She couldn’t blame him for not wanting any sort of serious relationship with her. She’d cherished his friendship, relished in those times when they’d simply hang out and talk. Then that had stopped as well.
She’d been crushed when he’d find excuses not to stop by. After awhile he’d also stopped calling or returning her calls. She’d had a bit of a meltdown, spending a few days wallowing in self-pity. Losing him from her life had been heartbreaking. But she told herself she’d survived worse and would move on.
Nicki had never told Michael how she felt about him. She didn’t even like to admit it to herself. But when she’d found herself in need of help, she’d reached out to the only person in her life she’d ever completely trusted. Calling him had been the hardest – and the easiest – thing she’d ever done.
Being around him was impossibly simple, horribly complicated, and way too arousing. To top it off, this bad-boy killer image he had was far too erotic. He’d finally come clean with her about what he did, what she’d suspected for some time. She should be appalled. Instead she was turned on. What was wrong with her? Did she have some kind of demented bad-boy killer fetish?
Headlights announced the slow approach of a car. Nicki got to the front window and peeked out the blinds in time to see Michael’s Porsche swing into the driveway. A minute later she met him at the door. She caught herself before giving in to the impulse to rush into his arms. She took a step back and said, “How’d it go?”
Michael shrugged. “Slow. I’ve got a friend working on some info for me.” He grabbed a Perrier from the refrigerator and gulped half the bottle. “It’s damn sticky out.”
“We could go for a swim,” Nicki suggested. Her motives were anything but innocent. She had no bathing suit. The yard was private. Just the thought made her warm all over.
Michael ignored her suggestion, as he normally did when he didn’t want to address a particular subject. He said, “I went by the bar Lott and his friends hang out at. Looks like they’re being watched.”
“Cops were there?”
“I didn’t ask them for ID but they looked like cops. Two middle-aged guys sitting in a sedan at the far end of the lot.”
“That’s going to make things a lot harder for you,” Nicki said.
“Probably.” Michael gave Nicki a long look that made her melt. Finally he said, “It’s late.”
“Yeah.”
“Why don’t you get some rest.” He brushed a strand of hair from her face. His eyes lingered on her lips for a moment before he said, “I’m thinking of taking some time off work. Shutting the business down for a few days, maybe a week.”
“Won’t that cause problems for you?” Nicki asked.
“No. I’m the boss.”
“Ahh. How could I have forgotten?”
“I’ll go to my office and work things out in the morning,” Michael said. “Then I’ll have the time to get this mess fixed.”
“I feel really useless sitting around here on my ass while you do all the work.”
“There’s nothing you can do.”
Michael’s eyes traveled over her and Nicki was suddenly aware of wearing only his thin t-shirt and the little white Victoria’s Secret panties he’d bought her. At that moment, she had no doubt that he wanted her as badly as she wanted him. Yet he backed off with a simple, “Good night.”
Chapter 44
Michael left his office shortly after noon. He’d spent an hour going rounds with Ruby about his sudden decision to take time off. She’d grilled him for information. He’d stuck to his story about being burnt out and needing time away from work. He wasn’t entirely lying, just omitting some things. Ruby had sensed that but had eventually given up her relentless quest for the truth.
Then he’d finished up some paperwork and made a few calls to clients. Now he was free until Monday. Well, free from computer software design. Maybe he should consider taking a little time off from both jobs. That thought raced through his mind with barely an acknowledgment. After all, what would he do?
Michael drove to The Rusty Anchor, left his Porsche around back, and str
olled inside. An old Tom Petty tune played on the jukebox. Michael got a draft from Josh, then joined Sean at a table in the far corner.
Sean pushed a slip of paper across the table. Michael picked it up, saw the two addresses, and said, “Thanks.”
“Word might trickle back to them, so keep your eyes open,” Sean said.
“Will do.”
“Lotto doesn’t run the kiddie porn thing.”
“He’s just a player?”
Sean nodded. “He and his misfits handle some of the distribution. Maybe they recruit some of the girls, too. I don’t know. But they have nothing to do with the production.”
“Do you know who does?”
“No idea. Seems to be a well kept secret.”
“So taking these guys out won’t stop those kids from getting abused. And it might kill any leads the cops have.”
“You can’t save everyone,” Sean said.
Michael breathed a long sigh. He couldn’t worry about the porn connection. He’d have to let it go. He took a swallow of beer, tried to wash away visions of abused kids. He said, “I owe you for all the help you’ve given me.”
“You don’t owe me anything.”
“I’ve been asking a lot these days. So I do owe you.”
“I’ll let you know when something I do is going to cost you,” Sean said. “But if you’re truly feeling bad, you could repay me with a little favor.”
“Oh man, a favor for you? I’m not sure I even want to ask what it is.”
“It’s cool if you say no.”
“You know I’d never turn you down,” Michael said. “Not if it’s something I can handle.”
“I need you to babysit a dog.”
Michael’s eyes widened in disbelief. He waited a moment, thinking that had to be a joke and Sean would tell him what he really needed. But Sean sat straight-faced and said nothing more. So Michael said, “Babysit a dog?”
“A toy poodle.”
“A toy poodle?”
“What?” Sean said. “You suddenly my echo?”
Michael laughed. “Sorry, I guess you caught me off guard. I didn’t know you had a dog.”
“I don’t.”
“Of course you don’t.”
“You remember the job I told you about? The lady with the custody issue?”
“Yeah…”
“It’s that dog. Chelsea.”
“And you have it because?”
“I kidnapped it.”
Michael burst into laughter. “Why would you do that?”
Sean frowned. “You will not ever repeat a word of this.”
“Scout’s honor.”
“I don’t want to talk about it again.”
“I won’t ever bring it up.”
“Divorce hearing is tomorrow,” Sean said. “If there’s no dog, it’s no longer officially a part of their divorce settlement. The dog shows up on the guy’s doorstep a few days from now and the wife has no reason left to want him dead. She won’t even know the dog is back.”
“You kidnapped the dog because you didn’t want to kill the pediatrician?”
“I checked the wife out. She’d been arrested twice for domestic violence on the husband and the dog.”
“I see.”
“What?” Sean said irritably. “Like you would’ve done the job?”
“No. I’m just shocked that you didn’t.”
“The dog pissed all over my hardwood floors because I’m not there enough to let it out.”
“I’ve got Nicki staying at my place,” Michael said. “She’d probably love the company.”
“Cool. I’ll go get the little creature. Freakin’ thing probably pissed on my bed this time.”
Chapter 45
Nicki yelped with excitement when Michael walked into the house carrying the little black toy poodle. “She’s adorable!” Nicki exclaimed.
“She’s just visiting,” Michael said. “So try not to get too attached.”
Nicki ran her hand over the clipped fur. She said, “Oh, she’s shaking.”
“Yeah, I guess she’s scared.”
“Can I take her?”
“Please do.” Michael handed the dog over to Nicki. “Her name’s Chelsea.”
“How cute.” Nicki stroked the dog. Chelsea warmed to the attention, quickly growing calmer. “Who does she belong to?”
“A friend,” Michael said. “We’re babysitting for a day or two. Do you mind?”
Nicki laughed. “Does it look like I mind?”
“I picked up pizza. It’s in the car. I’ll be right back.”
They ate in the living room. Nicki held Chelsea in her lap, feeding her little bits of cheese and crust. After dinner, while Nicki cuddled the dog, Michael said, “Lott doesn’t run the teen porn thing.”
“Okay,” Nicki said. “Is that good?”
Michael shrugged. “He handles some of the distribution.”
“Do you know who’s in charge?”
“No.”
“And that’s bothering you.”
Again Michael shrugged. “Be nice to know.”
“What would you do with that information?”
Michael stared at the dog, said nothing. After a moment, Nicki asked, “Does this make it easier for you? Or harder?”
“Neither,” Michael replied. “It just is.”
“But it’s bugging you.”
“Lott might be the cops only connection to the scum making the movies.”
“So leave it alone,” Nicki said. “Let the cops handle him.”
“That wouldn’t help you.”
“He probably forgot about me by now. He hasn’t called since the other night.”
“You don’t really believe that.”
They were both silent for awhile. Nicki continued to stroke the dog. Michael watched her and suddenly found himself thinking that she’d make a good mother. How ridiculous was that? He was definitely losing his mind.
“I have an idea,” Nicki said.
“And I won’t like it.”
“Probably not.”
“Okay. Tell me anyway.”
“Maybe I can find out who’s making those movies.”
Michael frowned. “How could you do that?”
“I still have a lot of connections on the street. The young girls don’t usually wind up there because they woke up one morning and decided to become a hooker. They’re runaways. Abuse victims. Who knows, maybe one or two started out in teen porn.”
“And you think they’d tell you about it?”
Nicki nodded. “Yeah.”
“I don’t suppose you would do this over the phone.”
“No. It doesn’t work that way.”
“Then forget it,” Michael said. “You’re not leaving the house until this is over.”
“You’d be with me. I’d be safe.”
“No.”
“We won’t have to go near that bar Lott hangs out in.”
“No.”
“But -”
“No,” Michael repeated. “That information isn’t relevant to what I need to do. I’m not about to risk your life to get it. Maybe after it’s over, if you happen to talk to someone…”
“Something happens to Lott and his friends, whoever is making those movies might shut down for awhile,” Nicki said. “Or move their business. Then it’ll be too late.”
“No.” Michael saw the hurt in Nicki’s eyes but he’d rather upset her now than risk losing her. He sat beside her on the couch and pulled her close. The dog gave a soft growl. “Protective already,” Michael muttered.
“Like someone else I know?”
“Yeah, well evidently you need a lot of protection these days.”
“I’m not a fragile doll.”
“I never said you were.”
“I want to help.”
“We’ll let the cops deal with the porn thing for now,” Michael said. “Let’s focus on setting you free.”
Chapter 46
“What’s
this I hear about you taking a few days off?” Isaac asked.
Michael swung into Sal’s car lot and pulled around back. “There are no secrets with your mother around,” he said.
“Was this a secret?”
“No. It’s really no big deal. I just needed some time off.”
“I hear you there,” Isaac replied.
“How’s your case going?”
“I’m sitting outside the fuckhead’s house as we speak. This part of the job truly sucks.”
Nice of Isaac to inadvertently warn Michael that Lott’s house was under surveillance. Definitely not a good place for Michael to hang around. He said, “Doesn’t sound like much fun.”
“What about you?” Isaac asked. “Do you have plans for your time off? A few days with someone special?”
An image of lounging on a beach in Aruba with Nicki popped into his mind. Michael rubbed his eyes, as if to rub the thought away. “No,” he said. “Just time away from work.”
“Yeah, well you need it. Though I have to admit it’s a little odd for a workaholic to suddenly want time off to do nothing.”
Michael ignored the probing. He said, “Nadine giving you a hard time about your hours?”
“No,” Isaac said. “She knows it comes with the job. She’s been really great.”
“So you buy her a ring yet?”
“Give it a rest,” Isaac said on a sigh.
That gave Michael a good laugh. He was about to respond when Isaac abruptly said, “I gotta go,” and disconnected the call.
Michael locked his Porsche and went inside the dealership through the back door. He handed Sal two crisp hundred dollar bills and in return received the keys to a dark blue Miata. He looked at the addresses on the piece of paper Sean had given him and drove toward the first one listed.
The name Pete had been scrawled beside the address. Michael had done a little computer spying earlier and found that the apartment had been rented to Peter Sanders. According to the information, the guy lived alone. Of course that didn’t mean that he didn’t have a girlfriend living there. Or a roommate. Or his mother, for all Michael knew. That uncertainty made Michael uneasy. The unknown also gave him a weird boost of adrenaline. He’d become a walking contradiction.
He found the building easily. The place was a two-story, sprawling apartment building. The parking lot wrapped around the back of the building. Five separate sections, each with their own entranceways. The entranceways were open arches, with a narrow hallway and a staircase leading up to the second floor apartments.