“Look, now! There’s a man walking up the front. Geez Mel, I was right.”
“How can I look...give me the scope back. Yeah, someone on the front porch, he must have parked on the other side. He’s trying to look in the window. Now he’s going around to the back.”
“Good, now’s the time. Go arrest him.”
“What! I can’t just go arrest him.”
“Hey, it’s dark, you were passing by and saw a prowler at the side of the house. Stop talking and at least go check him out. Hurry!”
Mel watched the man moving through the bushes to the back of the house. “Can you prove any of this?”
“Not yet. Okay, forget I ever mentioned child porn. He’s just your everyday church-going prowler. Now accost him and hold him as long as you can. You saw a prowler and you checked him out. You’re going to be a hero.”
“What are you going to be doing while I’m over there stuffing my career down the toilet?”
“If you’ll detain the man, I’ll go knock on her back door and try not to get shot.”
They both got out. The detective remained by his vehicle. She walked slowly to the back of the house straining to look into the darkness for the man. All at once, the kitchen lights went out and the back door flew open. The flash and crack of gunshot filled the doorway.
“Toby!” Abby yelled out from the darkened house.
Sandy heard a man cry out and then moan. She ran onto the back porch. “Don’t shoot again. It’s me...Sandy!”
The door slammed shut, but she caught it before Abby could lock it. She forced it open. She could see Abby standing there holding a revolver straight out with both hands.
“I don’t know what you were doing out there, Sandy, but you are definitely becoming a problem.”
“Put the gun down, Abby.”
“You shouldn’t have butted into this. From the very start you didn’t want to be friends.” She raised the gun until it pointed directly at Sandy’s head. “Sorry, old friend.”
“Abby, put the gun down. You may have a story ready about shooting Toby out there, but you can’t explain shooting me in your kitchen.”
“You shouldn’t have forced your way in here. Being sort of dark and all, I assumed it was the prowler, your Honor.”
“I can see you fine. Better not shoot. A sheriff’s detective is standing right behind me.”
Abby could then hear the crackling of a police radio outside. She lowered the gun and turned on the lights. “I wasn’t certain it was really you, Sandy. I would never have shot you. I thought I heard someone outside.”
“You did. Your partner, Toby, is out there trying to stay alive and is explaining to a cop why he shouldn’t go to prison. And then it’s your turn. It’s over Abby. The police know the entire story.” Sandy knew they didn’t know anything yet.
“No, I thought it was our abuser Bruce Banks out there. He’s been threatening me.” She placed the gun on the kitchen table.
“Bruce Banks? How did he get into this? Sounds like a phony story you made up so you could shoot Toby. Your Internet panty business was just a front for child porn sales wasn’t it?”
Abby slumped into a chair. Then her head snapped up as she realized what Sandy had said. “What’d you say? I’m doing what?”
“You came up with this scheme to get rid of Toby.”
“After that, you said something about porno?”
“Don’t even try denying it, Abby. The entire setup is obvious and the hard evidence shouldn’t be difficult to find. Your slimy operation will be shut down and you’ll go to jail.”
Abby shook her head. “You are out of your fucking mind!”
Sandy pushed the gun on the table farther away. “Tonight’s shooting should be enough probable cause for a judge to issue a warrant to search your house and computer, and Toby’s house and his computer. After that, we trace the money and call in the Feds. It’s all over.”
“I’m not in business with Toby. I’ve never been involved in porn, don’t want to be, and never will be. I don’t know how you came up with such craziness.”
Sandy could hear the slamming of car doors and the yelling of police outside. The high-low wail of an ambulance siren got louder.
“You better hope Toby doesn’t die or you can add a murder charge to your problems. I don’t know how you even came close to hitting him in the dark.”
“I’m telling you, you’ve got this wrong.”
“Tell it to the judge. For your daughter’s sake here’s what you should do. Shut up now until you get a lawyer and then agree to testify against Toby and everyone else involved. Unless you’ve been into some other heavy junk the last few years, you’ll get probation for cooperating and bringing down the operation. Let me know how I can help with Jamie.”
“Sandy, I swear to you on Jamie’s life. I’ve never been involved in porn.”
Detective Pomar came in with his gun drawn. When he saw Abby sitting talking to Sandy, he put the gun away and took out the handcuffs. “Maybe the medics can revive him, but I think that man out there is dead.”
Chapter Six
Within minutes, house lights and porch lights in the neighborhood popped on, one by one, alerted by the gunshot. The intensity of excited voices increased as gapers and gawkers were now gathering in the street, in the gravel driveway, and some even closer, standing on the lawn of Abby Olin’s house. More sheriffs’ vehicles with flashing lights and crackling radios descended and parked at odd angles around the corner lot.
As secondary officers arrived, they were able to secure the immediate area near the house with yellow barrier tape. Everyone present, whether standing in the street, in the driveway, or on the lawn, was surprised when asked to remain inside the tape. The officers then questioned each to determine if they were a suspect, a witness or merely a bystander. All were found to be bystanders and were excused. The officers then checked all vehicles parked within 500 feet of the house for ownership. The area rapidly became a full-blown crime scene.
A bulky man wearing a black suede jacket stood by his unmarked Crown Vic and motioned Sandy over. He introduced himself as Detective Triney from the sheriff’s office. He needed her statement. He was broad and built close to the ground like an army tank. His crew-cut salt-and-pepper hair matched the gunmetal frames on his police-style sunglasses. He also had gorgeous white teeth, Sandy noted.
His appearance didn’t intimidate her. She had stood toe to toe arguing with menacing Philadelphia cops hiding their eyes behind dark sunglasses. If you can do that without losing your nerve, you can doubtless conquer the world. At least you can face a sheriff’s detective in Florida with no fear.
He slid into his vehicle and motioned her to the front seat beside him. He appeared remarkably comfortable behind the steering wheel. Nature had sculptured him for such a place in law enforcement. He’d been positioned there, off and on, for twenty years.
“Is it Sergeant or Lieutenant?”
“Lieutenant,” he said without looking up from his notes.
“Right, nice to meet you Detective Lieutenant Triney. A lieutenant no doubt supervises other detectives. I’m impressed,” she said honestly. “Now first, I wonder if I can make a phone call.”
“You’re not under arrest, Miss.”
“I know.” She checked her watch. “But I need to make a call before it gets too late, I need to get word to a little girl down the street who’s no doubt wondering what all the sirens are about.”
“No phone calls just yet.”
“Where’s Detective Pomar?”
“Let’s talk about you just now, Miss.”
Her phone rang. She glanced over at the detective who nodded okay. “Oh, hi, Chip. No, I’m all right.” She noticed the detective had removed his sunglasses and his eyes had widened slightly when he heard the name. “I’ll explain it to you later. I might need a ride back to where I parked my car. Ok, I’ll call you.” She snapped her phone shut.
The detective said, “That was Chi
p Goddard, wasn’t it? So you’re that Sandy Reid. You made quite a name for yourself in Park Beach a couple of months ago. Seems you’ve quite a talent for running around and in general pissing everyone off. But you got your brother out.”
“I had help.”
“From what I hear, you helped Detective Goddard more than he helped you. He put his job on the line for you. You know, State Attorney Moran’s never forgiven either of you for getting the best of him. You know what the people in law enforcement say about you? ‘Don’t make eye contact with her and if she attacks play dead.’”
She shrugged. “Yeah, I heard that one.”
“Did you really work for Philly PD.?”
“No, I did grunt work in the field for a defense law firm up there. My job was to find dirty little secrets hidden in records and reports, locate witnesses, and talk with cops when possible. Usually we were on different sides because our firm was defending someone the police were accusing. But sometimes it was to our mutual advantage to help each other. Like you and me, Lieutenant. We’re going to be buddy-buddy aren’t we?”
He ignored the offer. “You ever think of going into law enforcement? We could use you here in the county at the sheriff’s office. I suppose since Goddard is a city detective you might want to work in there.”
“Either way I’d be working in State Attorney Moran’s judicial district and we don’t get along.”
“Think about it. With your law degree you wouldn’t start at the bottom.”
“Don’t have my degree yet. I prefer to defend people instead of prosecute them. You and I are on different sides.”
The detective smiled. “I’m on the side of justice. Which side are you on?”
“Touché. Lieutenant, we’re going to get along just fine.”
“Goddard is quite a detective, I hear. Don’t get to interact much with him since we’re on different forces. What I’ve seen I like. He’s an ex-marine officer...of course, you know that.” He placed his clipboard on the seat between them. “Look Miss Reid, you must be tired. If you’d rather do this statement later, you could come over to the sheriff’s office first thing in the morning.”
“Call me Sandy. No, it’s okay. Go ahead and do your job.”
“You wanted to make a phone call...go ahead.
“It’s private. May I get out of the car for a minute?”
“Sure.”
She phoned Jamie at her friend’s and explained Jamie’s mother was involved in a shooting, but was okay. They’d keep her in jail at least overnight. “I’ll try to get her out tomorrow. You stay there and keep your mouth shut, okay? I’ll pick you up in the morning. You were very brave to trust me on this.”
“We heard all the sirens down the block. Someone said some man was shot. Was it that Toby?”
“I’ll explain everything tomorrow. Don’t worry.”
“Do I have to go to a foster home?”
“If all goes well, your mom will receive probation and you’ll be back in your old room. I hope she’s learned her lesson. You’re the one who saved her, she’s very lucky to have you. In any case, I’m your advocate, right?” Sandy started to add she’d love to have such a smart cookie as her own foster child, but such a statement was not to be made lightly.
“Now this will be in the papers Jamie, so if any of your friends ask or make fun about any of this, just play dumb. You don’t know anything. People go absolutely nuts when they hear about this kind of stuff, so not one peep out of you or it could ruin your mother’s chances for probation. Okay?”
“Geez Sandy, I got it. And Sandy, when this is over will you take me for a ride in your little red car so my hair can blow around like yours?”
“Sure, Sweetie, I’ll pick you up in the morning. Bye now.”
Sandy gave the detective whatever information he needed for his report. Almost an hour later, he closed his notebook, “That’s it for now. Here’s my card. Call if think of anything or need anything. Want me to take you back to you car or wherever?”
“That would be nice. Thanks.”
“You asked me about Detective Pomar...he’s being interrogated as well. We’re still totaling the procedural violations against him.”
“Give him a break if you can. He didn’t cooperate with me.”
“So you forced yourself into his vehicle?”
“No, but he challenged me at every turn and was still at his vehicle when the shot rang out. He had no choice about getting involved at that point. I’m to blame for all his problems.”
Triney drove her to her parked car. When he left, she phoned Chip immediately. They had become acquainted while opposing each other after he arrested her brother for the murder of a Florida State Senator. She’d established an uneasy rapport and won him over eventually. He jeopardized his job to help her as he gradually became convinced State Attorney Moran was on the wrong track. Even saved her from drowning when a suspect unexpectedly turned on her. She and her precious MX-5 ended up overturned in a roadside drainage canal. After she cleared her brother of all charges, their friendship had progressed to steady dating and occasional sleepovers. “May I stay at your place tonight? I’m still hearing gunshots and sirens in my head. I don’t want to be alone.”
“Sure, are you okay?”
“For the last hour I sat in a county detective’s vehicle giving a detailed statement.”
“Which county detective?”
“Triney.”
“How is Triney? I’ll have to tell you about him sometime.”
Inside of ten minutes, she was at Chip’s front door. He held her tightly for a moment. “You’ve really been through it. Were you ever in danger?”
“Abby Olin had just killed a man and then pointed her still smoking .38 revolver at me. Does that count? Fortunately, killing me wasn’t part of her plan. After the excitement of the police arriving and all, I’m exhausted.
”You’ll have to tell me the entire story sometime. How’d Triney treat you? Did you win him over in the first two minutes, or did it take five?” She headed for the bedroom. He followed her. “You want a drink or something?”
“I want sleep.” She began to undress. She kicked her shoes off. “Triney seemed okay. Should I not like him?”
“You know, years ago he had a football scholarship up at Florida State. Got kicked off the team in some campus-wide cheating scandal. No more scholarship and that meant no money to finish school. Tough deal for a black kid trying to be the first in his family to go to college.”
He watched as she shook off her top and pulled off her jeans. She sat on the edge of the bed in her underwear, rubbing her feet.
“So he overcame all that?”
“Here let me do that.” He knelt down in front of her and began massaging her feet and ankles. “Now he speaks to youth groups around South Florida about learning a tough lesson, ethics versus youthful exuberance, and that sort of stuff.”
“Oh God, that feels great.” She leaned back on the bed. “So he’s one of the good guys.”
“Did you hear your old nemesis Moran has a call out for you?”
“God save us all from state attorneys. What does Little Bonaparte want?”
“You were just involved in a shooting. He wants to hassle you about it, of course. You should wait until Jerry Kagan can go with you.”
“I don’t need help from my attorney. I haven’t done anything.”
“I never thought I’d hear such a statement coming from a potential lawyer. You’d never give such advice to anyone facing a state prosecutor.” He kneaded the bottoms of her feet with his fingers. “Get undressed. I’ll give you a massage.”
“Oh, no. You don’t know the difference between a massage and foreplay.”
“No, you said you wanted sleep. That’s fine with me.”
“Okay...but I’m staying on my stomach. Just do my legs...my thighs.” She slipped off the underwear and stretched out face down on the cool sheet. She let out a loud sigh. “Oh...I could fall asleep...just like this.
”
He began kneading her thighs slowly. Stroking deeply up and down each leg. He lifted each leg slightly to press his fingers and knuckles in the strong muscles of her calves. Followed by long continuous strokes down the back of each leg with both hands from her upper thighs to the bottoms of her feet. Without breaking contact, he rubbed gently along the insides of her thighs.
“Spread your legs.”
“Now there’s a phrase a woman doesn’t hear every day,” she mumbled.
“Just so I can do it better.”
“My legs are fine just as they are, thank you very much. You can stop now. It did the job. I’m relaxed and can fall asleep.”
“I’ll let you sleep now...wait a second.” He went to the armoire and brought back one of his T-shirts. “Here sleep in this. Goodnight, Honey, I’ll sleep in the other room so I don’t disturb you.”
“No, I want to know you’re beside me. That’s why I’m here. I’d say hold me, but I’m not that bad off. Just a bit shaken.”
She put on the T-shirt, rolled away from him, and curled up. “I’ll see you in the morning.” Then she raised her head, looked back at him, and gave him a smile. “We’ll have a sunrise serenade.”
“Can’t, I have to go in early tomorrow. Anyway, I don’t expect to be repaid for my massage service.”
“Yes, you do. How about this, after your morning shower come in and nudge me.”
“I won’t have time.”
“You’ll take time for this. I’ll be fast.”
“Oh...that’s different. We could make it part of our every-morning routine. Like morning coffee.”
“Forget about that.”
“Maybe you’ll like it.”
“If I didn’t like it, I’d never do it. Pleasant dreams.”
Chapter Seven
The next day began officially for Sandy at the county courthouse, summoned there by State Attorney Lawrence Moran. She was fixing a cup from the coffee setup in the corner of his large outer office when they said she could go in.
The state attorney was at his desk sipping coffee. “You are a terrible way for me to start my morning.”
The Price of Candy Page 4