I looked at the face of a bald, dark-skinned black man on the dossier. It said he was thirty-five, six feet tall, and one hundred and seventy-five pounds. Wylson was a resident of Portland and had been in and out of jail most of his life for an assortment of drug and theft charges.
Even if I believed he was the scum of the earth, I had trouble buying that this one dude was behind most of the drugs floating about the city. In my book, that distinction belonged to the Columbia drug cartels and the rich Americans who made getting drugs into this country as easy as addicts getting crack on the inner city streets.
"Why do they call him The Worm?" I had to ask.
Sherman shrugged. "Heard someone gave him that name while he was in the joint, probably because he always seems able to worm his way out of trouble." He scowled. "Not this time."
There was something sinister about Sherman's, "Not this time." I took another look at Jessie The Worm Wylson, before shifting my gray-brown eyes to the man on the other side of the desk. "If I find him—which I assume you'd like me to do—what makes you think he won't manage to slip away again?"
Sherman shifted somewhat uncomfortably. "It's a chance we're more than willing to take," he said evenly, "provided you can locate his ass. If I have my way, once he's in custody, Wylson will be in a cheap, wooden box the next time he gets out." He sneezed then wiped his nose with a dirty handkerchief. "So what do you say, Drake, will you take the case?"
I glanced once more at the dossier and the man called The Worm. It seemed like a simple enough investigation. But I knew that no investigation ever turned out to be that simple, especially when it involved the district attorney's office. In fact, finding anyone on the streets of Portland could sometimes be like searching for a hypodermic needle in an urban jungle.
For some reason, I found myself hesitating in jumping all over this case. Like most P.I.'s, I liked to go with my instincts. And, from the beginning, there was definitely something about the case that rubbed me the wrong way. Maybe it was the surreptitious meeting with a member of the D.A.'s office outside the D.A.'s office. Or perhaps it was uneasiness in taking on an investigation that I presumed was still active with the Portland Police Department. Experience told me that they didn't take too kindly to meddlesome private eyes muscling in on their territory.
Sherman seemed to be reading my mind. "If you're wondering why you instead of one of our regular investigators, the answer is simple. I want this asshole off the street! I was told that you do things your own way, and not always within the guidelines you learned as a cop. We both know that sometimes the guidelines can be a bitch when it comes to justice for all." He sucked in a deep breath. "I'm willing—unofficially—to do whatever it takes to find Jessie Wylson. Of course, the D.A.'s office will cover all of your regular fees and expenses."
The private investigation business had been fairly good to me by the standards of most trying to make a living as dicks for hire. I managed to stay one step ahead of my debts and have some money left over for recreation. But business had been lean of late and the bills never went on holiday. I could hardly afford to pass up a cash-paying reliable client, assuming that at least a minimal standard of acceptability was met. This one seemed to qualify, though barely.
"Can I keep this?" I held up the dossier, which was my way of saying I was on board.
Sherman smiled. "I was counting on it." He stood and pulled a card from his pocket, handing it to me. "Keep me informed, Drake. If and when you find him, I want to be there to personally slap the cuffs on."
I wanted to remind Sherman he wasn't a cop anymore. But I gave him the benefit of the doubt that old habits died hard, and said: "I'll be in touch."
Once the Deputy D.A. left me all by my lonesome, I turned the TV back on. Mercifully for the Mariners, the game was over. Final score: A's 14, Losers 3.
* * *
The sun had begun to peek through the clouds by the time I left my downtown office which was not far from the Riverplace Marina. It was on the third floor of a building that seemed to house everything from a psychic hotline office to a Jenny Craig weight loss center. I wasn't complaining though. The rent was affordable and most of the tenants tended to mind their own business.
I was wearing a jogging suit that fit well on my six-foot-five body and my Nike running shoes. People asked me all the time if I ever played basketball. I usually responded truthfully with, "I was lousy at basketball, but give me a baseball bat and I can hit the ball ten miles." That almost always left them speechless.
I liked to think that I was in pretty good physical condition for the forty and over crowd. Jogging was my forte, so to speak, these days. It was a carryover from my days on the force. Before they brought in all the high tech exercise equipment to keep everyone lean and mean.
I half-jogged, half-walked the two miles on the street parallel to the Willamette River, till I reached my apartment building. It was not far from the Hawthorne Bridge—one of several bridges that connected the city that was separated by the river. Since Portland was so beautiful and pedestrian friendly, I favored being on foot to driving or light rail.
Home for me was an old brownstone on Burnside Street. It was old, but comfortable. Most of the residents fit the same profile: single, divorced, or widowed and available, over thirty-five, and professional in some capacity.
Just as I was entering the building, exiting was another tenant who I seemed to pass by every other day lately. I didn't know her name or anything about her, but I liked what I saw. She bore a strong resemblance to Halle Berry, only she was better—and sexier!
She looked to be in her mid-thirties with jet-black curly hair that grazed her shoulders, cool brown eyes, and an oak complexion. She had a streamlined, petite figure that I could imagine cuddling up to on a lonely night. If there were such a thing as my ideal woman, she was probably it.
Though my mouth always seemed to go dry whenever I got near her, I managed to utter: "Hello."
She gave me a faint smile in return, perhaps flattered, but obviously unimpressed. I tried to convince myself that she was just having a bad day. Some other time, pal.
I climbed three flights of stairs before I reached my one-bedroom apartment. It was pretty much what you would expect of a single, male, private investigator: not particularly tidy, cluttered, bland, and sorely in need of a woman's touch. The "right" woman just never seemed to come along and volunteer her services.
I showered, shaved, and stepped into one of two cheap suits I wore on the job. This one was navy blue and the most broken in. I combed my short, black hair that was sprinkled with more gray than I cared to admit. Since high school, I'd had a thick coal black mustache. It was probably the best part of me and hung just over the corners of my mouth, tickling me whenever I yawned.
Dinner was some leftover KFC drumsticks, canned pinto beans, and milk. Afterwards I caught a bit of the news on TV, glanced at the front page of the Oregonian, and pondered my newest case.
* * *
Pioneer Courthouse Square was the place to be if you wanted to mingle with your neighbors and tourists alike, be right in the heart of downtown Portland, and catch some of the city's best free sidewalk talent.
Nate Griffin had made a name for himself as the Rose Clown, in reference to the annual Rose Festival held in the city. He did everything you expected of a clown and more, including cartwheels, telling bad jokes, and giving an often distorted, comical history of Portland. Nate also happened to be my best street informant ever since my days on the force. Sometimes he was helpful, other times helpless. At twenty-nine, he had succumbed to a life mostly on the streets after off and on bouts with alcohol and drug abuse, and failed opportunities to better his life.
The Rose Clown was in full costume and makeup when I saw him on the Square working his magic on anyone who cared to watch and listen. Nate was tall, lanky, dark, and bald. One wouldn't recognize him when looking at the clown in a baggy outfit, white curly wig, green painted face, and big red nose.
He
acknowledged my presence with a half-hearted nod. I dropped a few dollar bills into his bucket that was sparsely filled with mostly dimes and quarters. He finished a terrible rendition of a rap song before giving me a moment of his time.
"They love you, Nate," I told him encouragingly, "even if your singing stinks."
"It's all in the ears of the beholder," he said, smiling and showing off a gold front crown. Then he looked into his nearly empty bucket and seemed to do an about face. "Guess I could use some work on my chords."
Guiltily I dug into my pocket and came out with a couple more dollars, dropping them into the bucket. "Maybe this will help—"
He wet his full lips. "Thanks, D.J. Times are tough these days."
"For all of us," I said with a sneer.
He peered at me suspiciously. "So what brings you my way?" He chose to answer his own question, fluttering his false lashes. "You probably missed seeing my pretty face!"
"Don't believe that for a minute," I said firmly. "I'm not into clowns, pretty or not." It had been about six weeks since I'd come his way. If there was anyone who could find out where Jessie Wylson was holed up, it was Nate and his seemingly endless network of street contacts.
I removed the photo of The Worm from my pocket and laid it on Nate's palm. "Know him?"
He studied the picture as if it held the secret of the universe. "Should I?"
"His name is Jessie Wylson. They call him The Worm."
"Ugly dude," commented Nate bluntly, his brow furrowed.
For once we agreed on something. Nate was still staring at the photo when he asked: "Why you looking for the man?"
I decided to be straight with him. "He's wanted by the D.A.'s office for drug trafficking, among other things."
Nate scratched his fake nose, then sniffed like it was clogged with a white powdered substance. "So why come to me?" he asked, as if he hadn't a clue.
"I need to find him." My mouth became a straight line. "And I need your help—"
Nate's eyes popped wide. "Don't know the man. Don't want to know him, 'specially if he's got the D.A. on his ass. Sorry." He handed me the photo as if glad to be rid of it.
I had a feeling he was holding back on me, but didn't press it—yet. "Ask around anyway," I insisted. "Maybe you'll get lucky."
"Can't make no promises," he hedged. "But I'll give it my best shot—for you."
"I'll check back with you in a couple of days."
"That soon?" He rolled his eyes. "What do I look like, a miracle worker?"
Gazing at the Rose Clown, that wasn't exactly the first thing to come to mind. I told him: "The sooner you give me what I want, the sooner I'll leave you alone—for a while."
Nate went back to what he arguably did best and I headed to my favorite nightclub, satisfied that I had at least put the wheels in motion to find the man known as The Worm.
CHAPTER TWO
Jasmine's was located right on the Willamette River. The jazz supper club was owned and operated by Gus Taylor, Vietnam vet, friend, and the ninth wonder of the world. He hovered somewhere in the neighborhood of three hundred pounds on six feet, three inches of flab. His salt and pepper beard was thick, as were his brows over large brown eyes. His head was shiny bald like Mr. Clean.
Jasmine's had the best jazz in town. Gus had named it after his late wife who was his pride and joy. I couldn't remember a time dating back to my days as a rookie officer when I didn't come to the club and leave feeling genuinely uplifted. Tonight was well on its way to following suit. The featured singer looked like a young Diana Ross, but had a voice that sounded much more like Billie Holiday than Ross ever did in "Lady Sings the Blues."
"What's shakin', D.J.?" The boisterous voice was none other than Gus himself, who often doubled as bartender, waiter, janitor, and security guard.
"She is!" I declared from my stool, while my eyes remained riveted on the singer who called herself Star Quality.
"Don't even think about it," Gus warned me. "She's too hot for even you to handle."
"I wouldn't doubt it," I said, finishing off my beer.
"How 'bout another?"
"Why not?"
Gus filled two mugs. "Why don't you come and work for me, D.J.?" he said as if he really meant it.
I raised a brow. "You mean you want me to sing?"
"Not if I wanna stay in business," he quipped. "I was thinking more along the lines of security."
I looked at him like he was half crazy, though I suspected he was dead serious. "Thanks, but no thanks, Gus. I'm afraid I'm not cut out to break up bar brawls."
"Don't knock it till you've tried it," he said. "You hang out here almost as much as I do. Why not put your talent to good use?"
"I thought I was," I responded with serious sarcasm, and tasted the beer.
Gus leaned at me from across the bar. He could tell that I was a little pissed. "Don't get me wrong," he said apologetically, putting froth to his mouth. "I'm not knocking what you do to earn a living. We need some of our own doing the private eye bit. 'The Man' sho ain't gonna bust his ass to find out whodunit, especially not in the part of town where most of us live. But you, my man, could do better than that. And I could use a man with your background and guts to help keep law and order around here. Think about it, D.J. That's all I'm askin'."
I already had thought about it, but saw no reason to tell him at that moment. Good intentions aside, I didn't quit the force to wind up checking I.D.'s for the proper drinking age. "I'll think about it," I lied.
He left it at that and went to jaw with another patron. I refocused my attention on Star Quality and became lost in her velvety, soulful voice.
* * *
The Worm's last known address was a house on Thirty-Third Street and Drummond, an area in Northeast Portland that was known more for its crack houses and gang bangers than its law-abiding citizens.
That next morning I paid the house a visit, figuring I might hit the jackpot the first time around and catch The Worm with his pants down. Not that I really believed I could be that lucky. If it had been that easy to locate Jessie Wylson, Sherman could have—and probably would have—done the job himself.
Wearing my alternate P.I. suit, this one dusty brown, with a tan shirt and thin brown tie, I rang the doorbell. It seemed that dressing the way people expected detectives to dress—somewhat rumpled and sleazy—made it easier to get a little cooperation from those least apt to give it.
There was a beat up Olds Cutlass in the driveway. From the looks of the house, with its peeling paint and overgrown lawn, it was as if no one had lived there in years.
I heard a rustling noise inside. It sounded more like a snake than a worm. But I was taking no chances. I placed my hand close to the .40 caliber Glock I kept between my waist and pants. I had never been accused of being trigger-happy as a cop or P.I., but that didn't mean I wasn't ready and willing to confront any dangerous situation that came my way.
The door slowly opened. A walnut-skinned woman in her early thirties stuck her face out. Her short, permed dark hair was highlighted with blonde streaks. The way her sable eyes squinted like taking a direct hit of bright sunlight suggested that I had disturbed her beauty sleep. A terrycloth white robe was loosely wrapped around her voluptuous body, revealing enough cleavage for my eyes to get sore.
"What?" she asked brusquely.
"My name's Drake," I said tersely. "I understand Jessie Wylson lives here."
Her brow creased. "He ain't here. Ain't seen him for weeks."
I glanced around skeptically and then back at her. "Who are you?"
She batted her lashes as if to say Who's asking? "Used to be his girlfriend."
"Anyone else home?" I asked guardedly, my hand still within reach of the Glock.
"I live by myself," she hissed.
"Do you have a name?"
She hesitated, regarding me suspiciously, before saying in a higher octave: "Nicole."
"Nicole, do you expect me to believe that even a low-life drug dealer lik
e The Worm would dump a lady as fine as you?" I figured that would elicit a meaningful response.
She gave me a coquettish grin and seemed genuinely flattered. Then her face became an angry machine. "I dumped the bastard after he stole from me—every chance he got."
"Maybe the biggest mistake of his life," I offered, almost feeling sorry for her. "Do you know where can I find him?"
Her nostrils ballooned. "You askin' the wrong person. I'm not his damned keeper—not anymore." She sighed raggedly. "If there's nothin' else, I got things to do."
I was not altogether convinced that she had no knowledge of Wylson's whereabouts, but gave her the benefit of the doubt—for now. "Your ex-boyfriend's wanted on drug charges," I said coldly. "I'm not a cop, but I've been hired to bring Wylson in if I can find him." My eyes sharpened on her. "If you know where he is, you'd better think twice about keeping it to yourself. He's not worth going to prison for." I slipped my card in her cleavage for a perfect fit. "Give me a call if you hear from Jessie or happen to remember where he's hiding out."
* * *
By afternoon I had finished up some paperwork from a previous case. I rewarded myself by running. There was an unexpected joy in feeling the stress and strain course through my entire body as I pushed myself to go the extra mile, so to speak.
I took the long way home—about four miles along the river—leaving me exhausted and regenerated. I finished my run by cooling down and walking about the last quarter of a mile.
As I approached the front of my apartment building, I noticed a cab pull up to the curb. My ideal woman, the attractive lady whose name I still didn't know, got out of the back seat. She was wearing a gray business suit that flattered her nice figure. She reached in the back seat and came out with a painting that seemed nearly as tall as her. With obvious difficulty, she began to carry it toward the brownstone.
Murder in Honolulu: A Skye Delaney Mystery Page 27