MYSTERY SUSPENSE: Boxset
Page 14
It was even slow in Family Dinner, with maybe 10 or 12 people inside. Most were regulars, except for one lady sitting near the door.
“Want another fill-up, Mister Stone?” the bartender asked.
“You know this beer is watered down, don’t you?”
The bartender chuckled. “Yeah, I know.”
“Hey, you, bartender! I want another whiskey with lemon.” yelled the woman sitting at the end of the bar.
The bartender whispered, “That drunk again.”
“What’d you expect? This is a bar.” I said.
“Make it snappy, fatass.” she yelled.
“Be right with you, ma’am, I have to get this guy a refill. For crying out loud, those hookers should keep their asses on the street.” he whispered to me.
The door opens, and a well-dressed man walked in.
“You have another customer, Harry,” I said, nodding to the man approaching behind him.
“Hey, pal. You see a red haired lady in here lately?”
“You said a red haired lady?”
“Yes, she’s about 5’ 6,” nice looking, pink silk dress, big brown eyes,” he said.
“No, sir. I would have noticed her. No one like that’s been in here tonight.”
“Alright, can you get me a beer?”
“Yes, sir. Give me a second, please.”
The bartender walks to the end of the bar and pours the lady her drink. He notices her looking at the man in a suit. The woman swept a gun from her jacket. The barrel bucks twice, putting two holes in the new man’s back. The man’s body slumps forward and drops to the floor.
“Alright, you guys don’t play the hero.” She looks at the man on the floor. “So long, Dennis.” She runs out the door.
“Call the cops, bartender, I’m go to get her license plate number,” I said, running after her.
I step outside in time to see her going around the corner. But by the time I got there, she's gone.
Chapter Two
The homicide detectives were there in about fifteen minutes. That gave me time to search Dennis, and he didn't have anything in his pockets to tell me who he was. But he had ten thousand dollars on him. I told Lieutenant Morgan what I knew, including about Dennis’ red head, in the short silk dress. Two hours later, I stepped off the elevator in my apartment building and walked past an attractive, red-headed woman in a red silk dress, waiting for the elevator on my floor.
“Please! Excuse me,” she said, trying to get in the elevator.
“Excuse me. I love that dress. It’s silk, isn’t it?”
“I’m sorry, I’m in a hurry! I have an appointment.”
“Well, you are going to be late for your appointment.”
“Why?”
“If you are seen, you could be in trouble.”
“What the hell are you talking about?”
“The police have an all-points bulletin out on redhead in those clothes.”
“But, I haven’t done anything wrong.”
“I’m in apartment 510, maybe I can help, if you give me a chance.”
“Alright, let’s hear what you have to say.”
Chapter Three
I got to my apartment, went to the kitchen, and opened two beers. I stepped into the living room to see her holding a small automatic in her hand. I put down the beers on the table slowly and raise my hands.
“If you take one step, you are a dead man.” she warned.
“Wait a minute, honey. I’m not the villain here. Some guy just got shot in Family Dinner. Before it happened, he asked about a redhead with a silk dress – like you.”
“What does this man look like?”
“He's about 5’ 10,” short brown hair, mustache, well-dressed, and about 180 pounds. You know him?”
“We used to work together.”
“So, that’s where you were going, to meet him?”
She looked at me and didn’t answer.
“Look, sweetheart. He was looking for you.”
“Yes, I’m supposed to meet him tonight. He took something that didn’t belong to him a few days ago. I was going to buy it back.”
“Why didn’t you call the police?”
“I didn’t want the police involved.”
“Why?”
“I just didn’t.”
“How much is it worth?”
“I think around twenty thousand dollars.”
“That’s a lot of money.”
“It wasn’t the money. It’s very personal to me! The man I fell in love with gave it to me – and he’s dead. He was a police officer working undercover in a drug sting operation. Now you found out everything, you can go back and tell my husband. I don’t care.”
“Sweetheart I’m not working for your husband. Where is he now?”
“He’s at work.”
“He’s working at this time of night?”
“He’s a doctor, a heart surgeon. Sometimes he’s gone several days if he is needed.”
“Well, whatever Dennis had that belongs to you, he didn’t have it on him.”
“Maybe the police have it. I hope not.”
“No, the police don’t have it.”
“How do you know?”
“Because I searched him before the cops arrived.”
“Are you telling me Dennis is dead?”
“I’m sorry, but, yes, he is dead.”
I could tell by the tears running down her cheeks that she knew Dennis well.
“Are you going to be alright?”
“Yes, I’m not going to cry if that’s what you mean.”
A knock on the door interrupted the conversation.
“Are you expecting someone?” she asked.
“I don’t know. Go to the bedroom and hide in the closet.”
Chapter Four
I waited until the bedroom door closed and opened the door. I couldn't say anything because a .38 Saturday night special is jammed into my ribs. It's the shooter at Family Dinner with the same smile on her face.
“May I come in, please?”
“Do I have a choice?” I said, backing into the room. She stepped inside and shut the door.
“Is anyone else in here?”
“No, but I’m expecting someone.”
“I bet you are. Who are you expecting, your girlfriend?”
“Yes, her name’s Jennifer and she’s a detective in homicide. Why are you here?”
“I don’t leave loose ends. You and that fat bartender saw me shoot Dennis, and now it’s your turn.”
“What did Dennis do to you?”
“What does it matter?”
“Come on, you can at least tell me that.”
“He’s a stool pigeon. His mouth got me six years at Federal Correctional Institution in Manchester. How is he?”
“Not too good.”
“What does that supposed to mean?”
“You killed him, sweetheart.”
She laughs, “Pretty good shooting for a drunk. What do you think, pretty boy?”
“I think you are looking at life in prison, or lethal injection, if you live that long.”
“Don’t worry about me, your time is running out.”
“If you shoot me, how long do you think it’s going to take the cops to track you down?”
“I’m not worried about the cops. Why do you think I’m here?”
“Because I witnessed you kill a guy. And it’s not doing you any good to kill me because the police have your description. I bet they are broadcasting on every news channel right now. By tomorrow morning, someone will turn you into the cops.”
“The only thing I know is you won’t be here. Good night, Mister Stone.”
Chapter Five
The shooter had her back to the bedroom door as it slowly opened. The redhead stepped quietly into the room, her eyes wide and hands trembling. I could tell she's scared. With a gun in her hand, she moved closer, but she was in the wrong place at the wrong time.
“What’s wro
ng, no smart remarks?” the shooter asked.
I couldn’t respond. My heart was pounding in my ears like drums. The girl in the red silk dress moved closer and closer.
“Where do you want it, pretty boy?” she asked, pointing the gun to my dick.
“Are you going to shoot or bore me to death?”
That sick smile on her face disappeared when silk dress stuck the pistol in her back.
“Okay, lady. Drop it and put up your hands,” she said, her words bringing a smile to my face.
She dropped the gun, spinning around and knocking the pistol out of the other girl’s hand. She backhanded silk dress and goes for the weapon. I beat her to it and punch her in the jaw, not hard, but hard enough. She groans and drops to the floor.
The lady in the silk dress cries. “Are you alright?” I asked.
“Yes, I guess. Is she dead?”
“No, I just knocked her on her ass. I owe you, and I will try to help you get out of this mess. But now I need you out of here while I call the cops. Here’s my business card, call me in the morning.”
“Okay, I’ll call you. Good night.”
“Hey, wait. Leave the silk dress here. That’s what the cops are looking for.”
“Oh, yes. But what am I going to wear?”
“I have a jacket in the closet. See if you can find something long enough.”
She disappeared into the bedroom while I searched the shooter. A moment later, she steps out, sporting my blue windbreaker.
“How do I look?”
“You look beautiful.”
“Okay, I'll see you in the morning.”
Chapter Six
I stopped at Family Dinner the next morning, picked me up a cup of coffee, and headed to my office when I heard a horn blow.
“Oh, it’s you.”
“Good morning, Mister Stone. Please sit down. I need to talk to you.”
“Sure,” I said, climbing inside. “But, first tell me your name.”
“Okay, my name is Judy Moore.”
“Well, Judy, want to know what happened last night?”
“Yes.”
“I told the detectives what happened but I left you out of it.”
“Thank you, Mister Stone.”
“Call me Randall. Judy, tell me what can I do for you?”
“I want my necklaces and pendant back.”
“So, you are missing jewels.”
“Yes.”
“Okay, honey. Tell me about the necklaces.”
“Last night, when you stopped me, I was supposed to get them back from the man called Dennis.”
“Well, I searched him before the cops got there and there weren’t any necklaces.”
“Maybe it’s in his apartment.”
“We could check, I guess.”
“Well, Dennis lived in your apartment building, that’s why I was there.”
“I thought I knew everyone in the building, but the name Dennis doesn’t ring any bells.”
“You may not know him because he’s only been there a few days.”
“Have you talked with your husband?
“No, he’s still working.”
“I don’t believe you're married.”
“Why would you think that?”
I couldn’t answer that question. Maybe I was wrong and I hoped she wasn’t lying to me. I took her into my arms and kissed her on the lips.
She looked into my eyes. I was inches from her soft, wet lips. Her words trembled when she talked.
“Jerry Robert worked for the State Police Department. He was killed doing his job. He gave me the necklaces. The pendant has three brilliant round diamonds set in 24k gold, with a diamond propeller clasp. It doesn’t matter about the gold. If it was wooden beads, I would buy it back from Dennis. I hope you understand that?”
“Judy, how did you explain a three brilliant round diamonds set in 24k gold necklace to your husband?”
“I told Frank it was imitation 24k gold.”
“How did Dennis get his hands on the necklace?”
“When Frank was going through internship at Cleveland Center Hospital in Ohio, Dennis was our driver, and he and I would go out sometimes to bars. We were drinking pals, that’s all.”
“But, you told Dennis the truth about the necklace.”
“Yes, I did one night when I had too much to drink.”
“So, when Dennis found out where the diamond necklace came from, he knew you wouldn’t tell your husband. He got you drunk, stole the necklace, and tried to sell it back to you.”
“I know it was stupid of me.”
“You think the jewelry’s in Dennis’s place.”
“I don’t know, but that’s where I like to start. Will you help me?”
“I’ll see what I can do.”
Chapter Seven
I approached the unit from the rear entrance. It didn’t look like anyone’s home in the unit next to his. I knocked and received no answer. I popped the lock and went inside.
I started in the living room, checking clockwise around the space. Next, I checked the kitchen, hallway, and bath. But, once I entered the bedroom I found something else. I searched the man’s pockets went back to the door, wiped my print off the handle, and went back to the car.
“Did it take me long, Judy?”
“No. Did you find it?”
“No.”
“Shit.”
“But, there was a man in the apartment.”
“What’s his name?”
“His name is Brad Williams. You know him?”
“No, I don’t.”
“He’s a black man, about thirty, small build, short hair, well groomed. Do you know anyone like that?”
“No, I don’t recall anyone like that. And he was in Dennis’s apartment?”
“Yeah.”
“Well, what did he tell you?”
“He couldn’t talk, he was dead.”
Chapter Eight
We sat in the car for a moment while Judy wiped the tears from her eyes.
“There is something else I should tell you. Brad Williams is carrying a gun, but he never got a chance to use it. The killer stabbed him in the back.”
“You think Dennis killed him?”
“I don’t know. You see that blue Chrysler behind us?”
“Yes, it was there when we parked.”
“Brad had some Chrysler keys in his pocket. But the key doesn’t belong to him.”
“How do you know that?”
“The key ring had the name of a woman. Her name is Sally Edwards. You know her?”
“No, I’m sorry, I’m not much help. What are we going to do next?”
“I want you to go home. I’m going to the address of the woman whose name is on the keys. Maybe Sally Edwards lives there and maybe she can tell us what the hell is going on.”
Chapter Nine
I ring the doorbell twice before it opened. A beautiful black woman answered the door.
“Can I help you?”
“Miss Sally Edwards?”
“Yes. Can I help you?”
“Do you drive a blue 2010 Chrysler PT Cruiser?”
“Why, is something wrong?”
“I found it and I want to return it to you.”
“Thank you, sir. Come in, please.”
The small house was clean, and something smelled great cooking on the stove for dinner.
“Sir, I would like to give you a reward.” She said, pulling one hundred dollars out of her purse.
“Stop the bullshit, lady. Who was he?”
“Who are you talking about?”
“The black guy, Brad, he’s dead. Who was he?”
“Oh, my God. Are you sure?”
“Yes, I’m sure.”
“What’s wrong, Sally?” a voice asked from another room.
“Honey, please come here.” she yelled.
“What’s wrong, Sally?’ a handsome, well groomed white man said. He turns to me and frowns. “Who are you, Mist
er?”
“I came about Miss Sally Edward’s car.”
“What’s wrong with her car?”
“The guy who’s driving it couldn’t bring it back.”
“He’s dead, Frank.” she cried.
“Someone stabbed him in the back,” I added.
“Someone killed him?”
“Yes.”
“Who are you, a cop?”
“I’m Randall Stone, private detective.”
“Did you call the police?”
“I wanted to hear what Sally had to say.”
“Want to talk about it?”
“Sure.”
“What do you know, Stone?”
“A guy named Dennis was shot down in a bar last night. I went to his address and found Brad William’s dead, laying face down on the bed.”
“Did you find any money on him?”
“No, but Dennis had over ten thousand dollars on him when he was shot at the Family Dinner.”
“He did?”
“Okay, Frank, it’s time for you to talk.”
“Mister Stone, I’m a married man. I purchased some items on my credit cards for Sally that I don’t want my wife to discover.”
“But, I told you it wasn’t safe,” Sally added.
“Yes, you did. But I love you and want to make you happy. I had the credit payments statements mailed here. Somehow, Dennis got a hold of them. I hired Brad William, a Franklin County private investigator, and gave him ten thousand dollars to buy the statements from Dennis.”
“But Dennis double-crossed Brad William and stole the money. He walked into Family Dinner and ran into a woman he snitched on, and she killed him.” I told him.
“Stone, if my wife finds those credit card statements, she will divorce me and take everything.”
“A woman who shot Dennis got away in his car, with the credit card statements.”
“Do you know who she is?”
“No, but the cops arrested her.”
“So, the cops have my credit card statements?”
“Yes, but the police are interested in the murder, not the statements. I have a friend in homicide, maybe he can help.”