Body on Pine

by DeMarco, Joseph R. G.

  “What gives you that idea?” I asked, knowing full well he clearly sensed my uneasiness.

  Jean-Claude looked questions at me and tried smiling.

  Bouncy cut the tension by arriving with my coffee and menus. “You all here now?” His gaze swept over Jean-Claude approvingly.

  “One more and we’ll be ready,” I looked up as he smiled again and walked off.

  “Ready for a boring afternoon?” I pulled a few articles from the folder. “There’s a lot to read here.”

  “Like the last time?”

  “Even more, and it’s kind of complicated this time. Not just a list of names.”

  “Look at you guys, all business all the time,” Luke said as he sat next to me. “Hi, Jean-Claude.” Luke took one of the menus, but I knew he had it memorized.

  “Glad you’re here, this is gonna be quite a bit of work,” I said.

  “What’ve we got?” Luke asked eyeing the overstuffed folder.

  Before I could explain, Bouncy made another appearance, this time standing next to me so his upper thigh pressed against my arm.

  “You guys ready to order?”

  “I’ll have the burger,” Jean-Claude said. “No bread, just meat.”

  Bouncy nodded and subtly moved his leg against my arm. “And for you?

  “An egg white omelet with spinach and tomatoes,” Luke said.

  “Another healthy one. You only hang out with health nuts?” Bouncy sounded worried.

  “Not all the time,” I said.

  “So, what’ll you have,” he asked. I felt his leg, warm and strong, as he seductively moved against my arm.

  What I really wanted wasn’t on the menu and there wouldn’t be room on the table for Bouncy anyway. I gave his calf an unobtrusive squeeze and he pressed himself against me again. “The grilled chicken sandwich with sweet potato fries. And more coffee.”

  Bouncy took the menus and walked toward the kitchen.

  “Seems pretty cozy.” Luke said. “New fan?” He never missed a detail.

  “Mutual admiration,” I said. I thought about placing a home delivery order before I left. Something sweet, as a nightcap.

  “Okay, killer,” Luke said and winked. “So what’s this work you need help with?”

  I gave them a brief rundown on the developers and their political cronies. I asked them to read the articles and look for anything that stood out as odd or unusual about parcels of land or contracts. Making sure they knew to take notes, I handed them the fact sheets Olga had made.

  “Anything might help. Names, types of businesses on the land to be developed, the original landowners, their families, how much they were offered by developers, holdouts against development. Anything like that,” I said.

  “How’d he rope you into this, Jean-Claude?” Luke asked.

  “No. He did not have to force me. I want to do this. I want a career like Marco.”

  “Great job. Lousy pay, though,” Luke said.

  “Take these.” I handed out highlighters and pens. “Highlight whatever you find that might have significance. Make notes too. When you finish with an article, put it in this.” I placed a folder marked ‘Read’ on the empty chair next to Jean-Claude.

  “No hints about what we should look for?” Luke asked.

  “Can’t say even if I knew. I wouldn’t want to make you look for certain things and miss others.”

  “How will we—” Jean –Claude began.

  “You’ll know it when you see it. Trust me.”

  Bouncy brought our food. He leaned down close to my face when he set my plate on the table. I thought my lips might brush his cheek. Then I settled in to work. Customers came and went while we highlighted text and made notes. Neither Luke nor Jean-Claude spoke a word.

  After an hour or so, we’d made more progress than I’d hoped. But the pile of documents was still large. I saw they’d made quite a few notes on each article and had to believe the answers I needed were there.

  As I picked up another document, my cell phone rang. Caller ID said it was Anton.

  “Finally decided to join us?” I was hoping he would. It could mean a bit of the ice between us had thawed.

  “Marco, something’s happened… Ty is missing.”

  “Missing? Have you—”

  “I’ve tried everything. Can you meet me here?”

  “On my way.”

  Luke and Jean-Claude looked up at me.

  “Something’s come up. I’ve gotta see what I can do.”

  “Okay. What about this work?” Luke asked.

  “Can you two finish up?”

  “Sure,” Jean-Claude said.

  “Luke, can you put the files on my desk when you’re through? Have the key?”

  “Right here.” He jangled a key ring to prove it. “Shall I wait or…”

  “Call me when you finish.” I took out my wallet, placed a fifty on the table. “That should cover it and a nice tip. Gotta run.”

  Chapter 28

  Anton stood waiting on the sidewalk in front of his building when I arrived.

  “What’s happened?”

  “He’s missing. Ty was here when I left this morning. Everything was the same as every morning.”

  “What makes you think he’s missing? He could’a just gone out. Kid’s got a life, right? Maybe he needed fresh air.”

  Anton handed me a slip of paper. “He left this.”

  The note read: Thanks for taking care of me, Anton. I’ll never forget how nice you’ve been. Tell Marco I can’t do what he asks. I’ll see you around.

  “Sounds like he doesn’t intend on coming back. You see what I mean now?”

  Anton said.

  “Did he get any phone calls, any e-mails?”

  “He never used the phone or the computer while I was at home. Who knows what he did when I went out.” Anton paced, then stood in front of me again. “His cell phone goes straight to voicemail. I’ve left a dozen messages.”

  “How about his apartment?”

  “He doesn’t have a landline. I couldn’t—”

  “I have his landlady’s number.” Taking out my cell phone, I tapped a few keys, then waited.

  “Who is it?” She was just as direct on the phone as in person.

  “Marco Fontana, Mrs. Cellucci. Remember? The detective—”

  “Oh, sure, sure. Hey, how’s my little golden angel?” She’d answered my question before I could ask it.

  “You haven’t seen him?”

  “Not since before you was here. Not since that monster hurt him.”

  “Oh, I was hoping you’d—”

  “Did something happen to that kid? You’re telling me something bad happened?”

  “No, no, Mrs. Cellucci. Nothing bad,” I said, hoping I was right. “We can’t find him and he still needs bed rest.”

  “Musta gone out. He’s an angel but he’s still a kid. They go out.”

  “You’re right. If you do see him, tell him to call Marco. It’s important.”

  She agreed and hung up.

  “She hasn’t seen Ty?” Anton asked.

  “No, but that—”

  “I called some of the dancers he’s been friendly with,” Anton said. “I called his family. I was very discreet.”

  “Got nowhere with them, right?”

  “None of them have seen him. ” Anton sounded defeated. “I hate to think he might’ve gone back to that creep.”

  “Eddie? We put him on a bus to the Middle-of-Nowhere, PA and he’s not coming back.”

  “Eddie told you that?” Anton’s eyes were steely. “People like Eddie lie. They lie about everything. I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s back and convinced Ty to meet him.”

  “Kevin said that Eddie’s been calling every—”

  “When’s the last time you saw Kevin or asked him about Eddie’s calls?”

  “A couple of days,” I said. “Kevin would’ve called if Eddie hadn’t checked in.”

  “Call Kevin. Find out.” Anton gripped
my sleeve. “Please.”

  I dialed Kevin’s number.

  “Hey boss, what’s up?”

  “Ty’s missing, Kev.”

  “Shit! What happened?”

  “Has Eddie called in every day? From the same number?”

  “Like clockwork. Latest was this morning. Why?” Kevin asked.

  “Just wondering. We thought maybe he tried coming back for Ty.”

  “He does and he’s mine. I been wanting to smash somebody like him for a long time.”

  “I’ll help you if it comes to that. Right now we’ve gotta find Ty,” I said. “Call you back when I know something.”

  “If Eddie hasn’t missed calling in, where the hell did Ty get to?” Anton asked. “What happened to him?”

  “I’ll call a friend at the Department and see what he can do,” I said.

  “Don’t they have rules about missing persons? Ty probably hasn’t been gone long enough.”

  “Yeah, they’ve got rules. But even the tightest rules can be tweaked. Lemme see what my friend can do.”

  Anton looked at the entrance to his apartment building as if expecting Ty to saunter out. “Tell them… he’s just a kid…”

  “You gonna be okay?” I asked. Anton was close to the guys who worked for us. They were like his kids. Seeing Ty beaten was hard enough. “Can we go up to your place? Maybe I can find something that’ll help us figure out where Ty is.”

  Anton looked at me as if this was a brilliant idea. “Why didn’t I think of that?” His eyes brightened with the possibility of finding some odd clue that would give us a lead.

  He led me into the building and up to his apartment. Though I’d been there a thousand times, I felt like a stranger. Like this place, and Anton himself, were new to me. Even Anton seemed shy and tentative.

  “Take a good look around,” Anton said. “Want some coffee or tea?”

  “Sure, whatever you’re having.”

  I went to the room were Ty had slept. The bed had been made and it didn’t appear he’d left anything behind. Not that he had much with him when we brought him here. Still, I got on my hands and knees and searched under the bed. Nothing. Not even an errant dust bunny.

  “The room’s clean,” I said, returning to the living room. “Doesn’t even look like anyone other than you has been there.”

  “That’s it, then?” Anton set two mugs of coffee on the table and took a seat on the couch.

  I picked up a mug and debated whether or not to sit next to him or in one of the other chairs. Anton decided for me, glancing at me and then at the couch. I wanted to feel him next to me. I took him up on his offer and sat beside him.

  “I’ll call my police contacts. They’ll help.”

  “You think he’ll go back to Eddie, don’t you?”

  “It’s possible. Maybe probable. He isn’t convinced Eddie is bad for him.”

  “Why would he do that to himself? He’s a vulnerable kid… not like some of the other dancers…they’re stronger, tougher. You know I like them all equally… care about them…”

  “Which is why they worship you,” I said.

  “Having Ty stay with me… taking care of him, keeping him safe… you know what I mean, Marco. It changed things. I guess I got attached. Like he was my kid.”

  “You did a good thing, Anton. I’m proud of you. Taking him in, spending all that time.” I hesitated. “There’s just so much anyone can do. Ty is who he is. He thinks he loves Eddie.”

  “Can’t understand why he feels that way. Eddie’s a scumbag.”

  “We’ll find Ty. Assuming he wants to be found.” I placed a hand on Anton’s back and tried soothing him.

  We sat that way for a while. Close together, sharing the silence. At some point, I moved to get my cell phone and told Anton I was calling Detective Shim.

  He looked at me and blinked as if he’d been far away. I wondered what he’d been thinking. He placed a hand to my face and drew one finger across my lips. He looked so sad I nearly took him in my arms and hugged him. But I wasn’t sure he wanted that.

  ***

  The office was quiet when I got back. Olga had left and Luke hadn’t yet returned with the papers. Not even a distant siren broke the stillness in the room. Solitude and silence were not exactly what I needed right then. Noise, music, voices. Anything but the thoughts I was thinking.

  Almost on cue, tearing up the silence, Shim called to tell me he was on his way up to talk about Ty. In no time at all, I heard the elevator’s signal and the sound of someone approaching.

  “That was quick,” I said as Shim opened the door.

  “I was in the elevator when I called. Figured you wanted to get this done quick.” He took a seat and pulled out his faithful notebook.

  “I was hoping you could fast track this.” I watched for a reaction.

  “Hey, it’s not like I have anything else to do. I’ve got cases coming out of my ears. I’m nowhere on the Vega case. And you’re asking favors. I can do it all blindfolded.”

  “I’m digging up information as fast as I can. If I find Vega in there anywhere, I’ll call you.”

  “So what’s the missing persons case about?”

  “Trouble is, he hasn’t been missing long enough for you or the FBI to care.” I spotted some of Olga’s pastry on a plate near the coffee maker and went to get it. Shim followed me with his eyes. “Want one of these. Olga’s a pro when it comes to pastry.”

  “Sure.” He plucked one off the plate I held out to him. He sniffed at it before biting into it. “Pretty good.”

  “The kid’s name is Ty. He’s one of my dancers. He’s in a bad relationship. Really bad. The guy beats him.”

  “I’ve worked cases like that.”

  “He stayed with my friend Anton after the latest beating. I thought I might get him to press charges…”

  “He said ‘No.’ Right?” Shim had been on the job long enough to know that most abused lovers rarely ever testify. Their minds, their emotions are as battered as their bodies.

  “Right. A few days later, he leaves Anton a thank you note and disappears.”

  “Back to the boyfriend?”

  “Hope not, but… I kinda made sure the boyfriend wouldn’t feel comfortable hanging around Philly anymore. At least I thought I did.”

  “The kid could’ve gone to meet him somewhere outside the city.”

  “That’s my guess. His landlady hasn’t seen him.”

  “What can I do?” Shim asked.

  “If he goes back to that guy, I’m afraid Ty might not survive the next beating. I’m hoping you can track him down. Put out a bolo. Maybe get the Feds involved.”

  “You know I want to help…”

  “Here comes the ‘It Can’t Be Done’ excuse, right?”

  “There’s procedure…”

  “What’s the procedure when a kid’s life is in danger?”

  “I’m not saying I won’t—”

  Before he could finish, Luke opened the door and walked in. He caught my eye and smiled, then turned his charm on Shim. “Hey, nice to see you again,” he said.

  “Right, from lunch the other day.”

  “Hope I didn’t interrupt anything,” Luke said and wiggled his eyebrows.

  Shim blushed. “N-no. We were talking about the case.”

  Luke brandished the file folders. “Speaking of which… I’ve got what you asked for, Marco. You’re gonna want to see what we did.” He placed the folder on my desk.

  “I was just leaving, anyway,” Shim said as he stood.

  “Saved. Now you don’t have to make any promises you can’t keep.” I looked him in the eye.

  “I didn’t say I wouldn’t do anything. I can work around the protocols. Keep me posted if you hear from the kid. Let me know if anything comes up on the other case.”

  “You got it,” I said. “Thanks. I owe you this time.”

  “I won’t forget. That you can bet on,” he said as he left.

  “Alone at last.” I gave
Luke a smile. “What’d you and Jean-Claude find?”

  Luke walked to the door of the conference room.

  “Be easier if I spread things out on the table here.”

  “Gotcha.” I followed him in. “You and Jean-Claude get along after I left?”

  “Sure. Why wouldn’t we?”

  “Just asking.”

  “You never just ask anything. You always have a hidden agenda. Does the cute Detective know that about you?”

  “He’ll learn.”

  “Poor guy.” Luke laughed.

  “So I guess you got nowhere with Jean-Claude?”

  Luke shook his head. “The boy is crazy about Anton. I didn’t have the heart to say anything about you and—”

  “Not sure there is a me and anybody,” I said.

  “Oh.” Luke, characteristically, didn’t ask for details. Instead he plopped folders onto the conference table and splayed out pages filled with notations. Then he sat in a chair and glanced over at me as if I were about to explode.

  I took the seat next to him and peered at the pages.

  “So, what’ve we got here?”

  “These are the fact sheets you had on each development project,” he said tapping each of them. “Take a look. See if there’s anything similar between them.”

  I took a few minutes reviewing the sheets and felt Luke watching me. He fidgeted as he waited, but then he always was a little impatient, being quicker to grasp things than most people.

  “Well?” he said. “Anything pop out at you?”

  “Yeah,” I mumbled as I stared at the pages, not believing what I saw. “Yeah, I see what you’re saying. But… it’s almost…”

  “Unbelievable, right? Jean-Claude and I read for hours and made notes. When we finished we compared what we’d written and… it was… incredible.”

  “How many…” I did a quick count. “Ten different projects over a period of eight or ten years and… one, two…” I counted silently. “Five accidental deaths and two missing persons cases.”

  “All of them owned property the developers wanted.”

  I whistled. “All spread out nicely so no one ever thought about putting things together.”