As Dameron once again looked into the cameras, a gust of wind caught a hunk of his hair and lifted it up. The councilman hurriedly smoothed it down and his lips thinned in sad determination. “I fear our city leaders will not take up this challenge. I fear they will refuse to take action and that kind of behavior mustn’t be allowed to continue. I stand before you today, sadden and inflamed, and ask for your vote. Vote Sutton Dameron – I can lead the way.” He took a drink from a bottle of water stowed underneath the podium behind the microphones, glanced at his wife, and then smoothed his tie. The cameras panned over the crowd once again. Some were clapping in approval. Others were looking at him thoughtfully, expressions unreadable. A few were shaking their heads in disgust. “I will now take questions from the ladies and gentlemen of the press,” Sutton Dameron offered.
Earth Fruits’ lunchtime regulars erupted into an absolute babel of load voices, as if they’d all awakened from the same bad dream. “Turn the blow-hard off, Bernice! I’ve heard enough and it’s not sitting well with my lunch.” “That’s for damn sure!” “What kind of prissy name is ‘Sutton’ anyway?”
Bernice pointed her remote at the TV and turned it off. She excused herself and stomped back to kitchen growling. “Who in the hell does he think he is? Probably has a tiny dick to go with his tiny, narrow mind.”
The three at the table let out the breath they’d been holding ever since the councilman had ratcheted up his rhetoric and directly attacked the police department and the Chief, while referencing the Guzman case.
Zhou Li summed up her feelings. “I have never liked that self-righteous little man or his wife either.”
“You know the Dameron family, Madame Zhou?”
“I know of Sutton Dameron, Detective Reightman, and I don’t like what I know. I do have the misfortune of being acquainted with Mrs. Dameron.”
“‘Oh?”
“Yes. Her people are from Sarasota. She served briefly on a charity committee for an organization which my sister served as Board Chair. After marrying this Sutton Dameron fellow, she presumed upon her very distant association with my sister, and approached me at a fundraiser. She was overly familiar, which she knew was ill considered. Her parents certainly raised her better.” Zhou Li raised her napkin to her face and delicately wiped her mouth.
“You’re also acquainted with her parents?”
“Yes, Detective Jackson, I thought I had been clear. Her family was well known in Sarasota and in fact had a small amount of fame at one time.”
“Her family is famous?”
“They were, at least in the circus world. They billed themselves as the ‘Flying Martellies’. They were a very talented and well regarded circus act specializing in aerial gymnastics and flying routines. The whole family was involved in the act until the 1980’s. They opened a flying school sometime later, about 1995 I believe, to cater to the tourist crowd. It has been fairly successful, and they still enjoy a certain level of prestige in some circles, although nothing like in their glory days. I believe Mrs. Dameron participated in the school in a limited fashion before going off to college, where she met her husband.” She folded the napkin, creasing each fold separately. “Christina Martelli was certainly raised to have proper manners. I was very disappointed in her.”
“What did you expect, Madame Zhou? She’s from a circus family.”
Zhou Li placed her napkin firmly on the table. “Detective Jackson, your prejudices are at play. In my experience, the offspring of the older circus families are brought up very well. Their profession requires extreme discipline and a lot of hard work. To make it to the top, they must be able to interact perfectly with a wide range of people, from event promoters, to wealthy investors, to their fellow performers, as well as with the media. You may believe me when I tell you that their children are brought up with the highest of expectations. They are very unlike the carnival crowd, although I must admit that I do not, to my knowledge, know any members of that profession. I suspect their number might include some very acceptable people as well.”
“My apologies, Madame.”
“Apologies accepted, Detective. Now, shall we go? I believe the lunch hour has passed and I have things to do.”
“Would you like us to escort you back?” Reightman offered as she gathered up her belongs and picked the check up from the table.
“No need, Detective Reightman. Before going back to the shop, I want to stop in at Passed Around to see if Moon has anything new. Shopping always uplifts my spirits and gives me a new perspective, especially after experiencing unpleasantness such as Councilman Dameron’s press conference.” She wiggled her body down the booth length, eying Melba’s outfit. “Would you like to join me, Detective Reightman?”
Reightman recalled the tacky display in the shop window and declined. Zhou Li gave a disappointed sigh “Please tell me the amount of my portion of the check, Detective.”
“There’s no need, Madame Zhou. We’ll take care of it.”
“Thank you. That’s an unexpected treat. I’ll take care of the tip.” Zhou reached into her bag and placed a twenty on the table. “I think I’ll check out the items up by the counter.” She finished scooting herself to the end of the booth and stood up. Soon she was heading toward the front of the cafe, stopping at a few tables to greet a few fellow diners she knew.
Jackson and Reightman followed. As Melba was settling the check Sam nudged her and pointed out one of the displays on the counter. Melba glanced over to the rack which offered a selection of items marked “Poo-Tea” “Is that for what I think it’s for, Reightman?”
Before she could respond, Zhou Li piped in from behind them, “If you are having problems of that nature. Detective Jackson, you may visit me at my shop. I’m certain I have a much more effective blend.” As Jackson stammered and tried to think of a reply, Zhou Li waved and headed out the door for her shopping excursion.
Melba finished up the payment transaction. “Ready, Sam?”
“More than.”
“Are you sure you don’t need a box of that stuff”” Melba pointed at the display. “You’re sure full of something.”
“Shut up, Reightman. You’re the one drinking all those funny teas.”
On their way back to the car Melba asked Sam if he wanted to drive.
“You better Melba. You drive faster and I think we need to get back to the station.”
“What’s the hurry? I think we are pretty much on schedule.”
“That’s not it. The thing is, the Chief’s probably looking for us. I bet he’s busted a vessel in his head over that damn press conference. I’m surprised Nancy hasn’t already tried to hunt us down.”
Since she agreed with his reasoning, Reightman just pointed the car and drove.
Once back at their desks, Reightman picked up the desk phone and dialed Kelly’s office.
“Hey, Melba. He’s not here,” offered Nancy before Reightman could ask.
“Where is he?
“Over at Mayor Clarkson’s office. Her secretary called right after Dameron’s press conference. Chief Kelly had to calm down quite a bit before he headed over there.” Nancy smacked her ever present gum.
“Do you expect him back anytime soon?” Reightman tried to consider all possible implications of a command visit with the Mayor.
“Nope. Said he was going home when he was done. He didn’t trust himself not to burn down the building,” Nancy said and added happily, “He said I could leave early too if nothing urgent came up. I can probably make it to bingo. I haven’t had a night out for a long time so I think I’ll just round up some of my girlfriends and make a night of it.” Nancy sounded positively giddy. “I’m really excited about it.”
“Okay, Nancy. I hope you have fun tonight. Thanks.”
“The Chief’s not in?” Jackson asked as she put down the phone.
“Nope, he’s with the Mayor.”
Sam whistled through his teeth. “Bet that won’t be pretty. What’s next partner?”
“Give me a minute, Sam.” Reightman picked up the stack of interoffice mail and messages on the corner of her desk. On top was a white departmental envelop with her name typed on a standard label. “Wonder what this is?” She pulled out the letter and unfolded it. She scanned it which didn’t take long. “What the hell…?”
Centered on the page in capital, bold type were the words, “CHECK THE PHONE DETECTIVE.” It was odd for Tom to send something like this. Sometimes she just couldn’t figure out those crime techs. They were kind of quirky.
“Why don’t you head out and canvas the pawn shops and see if they have any recollection of selling a blade matching the murder weapon?” she suggested as she put it back in the envelope. “It’s probably another wild goose chase, but you might as well.”
“Okay. What are you going to do?
“I’m going over to see Tom. I think he may have something for me.” Jackson gave her thumbs up sign and pulled a mint out of his desk drawer.
“Then I’m doing back over to Capital Street to meet with Toby Bailey.”
“You need me to meet you there?”
“No, I don’t think so. I’m just going to drop off Guzman’s personal belongings and get a signed release. I’ll call you if I need something. Otherwise, I’ll plan on seeing you tomorrow.
“Sounds good.” Jackson stood and took his jacket off of the chair. “Hey, don’t forget to call Abby and tell her about the change in plans for Labor Day.”
“Thanks for the reminder. I’ll see you in the morning.”
When she reached Tom’s cubicle, she discovered there was no one at his desk.
Laurie poked her head over the divider between the two spaces. “Hi, Detective.”
“Hello, Laurie. Tom around here anywhere?”
“Not right now. He had to rush out – something about a sick kid. His wife’s on duty at the hospital so he had to pick up the boy from daycare. He said he’d be back as soon as his mom made it to the house to sit with him.”
“Any idea of time?"
He said it should be between 3 and 4. Is there anything I can do for you? “
“Thanks, Laurie, but I’d better wait on Tom. He was working on something special for me.”
“Okay. I’ll tell him you came by.”
“Thanks. See you later.”
“Sure thing, Detective Reightman.” Laurie popped her head back down.
Reightman headed back to her office, trying to think how she could rearrange the afternoon. She dialed Toby. “Hello, Toby. I’m sorry to call at the last minute, but is there any way we can move up our meeting? Something came up here that requires some rearranging.” Reightman opened the envelope and looked at the typed message again, wondering what it meant. She was going to give Tom a ration when she saw him later.
“That’s no problem, Detective. I have all my errands done, and there’s nothing else on my schedule for today. What time works?”
“How about in twenty minutes or so?”
“Sounds good."
She checked her purse to make sure she had Guzman’s things. She unfolded, then opened the large manila envelope, and checked through the contents. “Good thing I checked!” She picked up the phone to call the clerk in charge of the signing in and out personal affects.
“Hey Doris, this is Detective Reightman…..Yes, thank you. I was wondering if you could check something for me…Sure. Ready? I’m looking for a couple of the items found at the Guzman scene. I have the wallet and a set of keys, but I seem to remember some kind of jewelry. Can you check on it?...Yes, I can hold.” This time the muzak was of the classical variety and she appreciated the effort someone was taking to change things up. “Yeah?” Reightman replied when Doris picked up again. “Really? You’re sure? …Scratched through?...Yeah, that is strange...Any ideas?...Okay. If you could keep looking I’d appreciate it. I’ll review the crime screen report again, but I’m sure there was some kind of jewelry...Thanks, Doris, you too.”
She hung up the phone, and immediately dialed Sam. “Hey, Sam…no – nothing urgent. Let me ask you something. Do you remember Guzman having on any jewelry when we arrived at the scene?” She refastened the envelop brads and folded them back down. “That’s what I thought I remembered. A necklace of some sort and some kind of sparkly earring, huh?....Yeah, Doris said there was an entry for Guzman, but two of the items on the list were scratched out and she couldn’t read the description… No, she had no idea...Yes, I’ll check with them. I’m headed over to meet Bailey now…Yes, I did, but Tom had to go pick up a sick kid….Okay, you too.” She sat the phone down in its cradle. She knew that she’d remembered some jewelry. Maybe Tom had pulled it for some reason. The mysterious ways of the crime tech team never failed to amaze her. She carefully wedged the envelope back inside her purse while trying to decide about what she would tell Toby about the missing items.
He was very understanding. “I’m sure they’ll show up, Detective. Thanks for telling me, although, I don’t even remember anything like that. Geri did have a pierced ear, but I don’t remember him ever wearing anything that looked like a big diamond. It was probably a hunk of junk.” He sighed and shook his head. “Sometimes he was attracted to shiny things.” He opened the envelope she had given him and took out the items, placing them on his desk. He reviewed the form, signed and dated it, and tore off the top copy. He gave the bottom copy to Reightman. “Any news on when they will release his body?”
“I’m not a hundred percent sure, but the assistant coroner thought it would just be another day or two.”
Toby covered his eyes with one hand and rubbed his temples. When he looked up again, his face was pinched with strain. “I wasn’t prepared for anything like this.”
“No one ever is, Toby.”
He stood up and held out a hand. “Thanks for bringing these things by, Detective. I appreciate it.”
“No problem. I’ll track down the other things as soon as possible, I promise. I’ll call tomorrow when I have news, and we can talk about finishing up with the files. I think we’ll be done with them in the next couple of days which will be a relief to me and to you. It shouldn’t be too long before you can get a service in to clean the place and do whatever else you need to do in order to reopen.”
He hesitated before answering. “I guess that’s good news.”
“You don’t sound very sure.” Reightman picked up her bag and slung it over her shoulder. Her neck ached a little from the weight.
“It just doesn’t seem to be much of a dream for me anymore. I used to want a place like this so much and I was excited to be here every day. I just don’t know if I’ll ever feel that way again.”
As they walked to the front door Reightman offered, “Maybe it’ll be good to be less invested in this place, Toby. You can focus on having a life.”
“I thought I had a life, Detective. At one time I thought I had a good life and a shot at a great one.”
Something in his voice made her turn toward him.
“I’m just feeling sorry for myself, Detective,” he responded to her sympathetic expression. “I’ll talk to you tomorrow.” Toby locked the door and headed back to his office. He sat down in his chair and picked up the ring with its few keys he identified as belonging to the spa and to the apartment he’d once shared with Geri. He threw them into a drawer then picked up the wallet and opened it.
Inside, there were a couple of low denomination bills, a few business cards, a debit card and a credit card. He pulled out a little white envelope and felt it. “It’s just another credit card,” he decided as he pulled it free. He stared down at the card in his hand. It was a silver-gray color with an orange and red bank logo. Embossed on the lower portion of the card were Geri’s name, an account name and the expiration date. On the back of the card Geri had signed his full name in green felt tipped marker. Toby held the card to his forehead and cried.
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