Jonelle pushed her box of tissues toward Sophia who took one and dabbed her eyes.
“Whew,” Jonelle said, feeling a lot better about Sophia. “Back to the business at hand.” The giggles started again.
“I’ll need your sister’s last known address and where she worked,” Jonelle managed, after they both stopped laughing. “If she had any friends here that she might have mentioned. Or any concerns about any individuals. I’m assuming you told the police all you know?”
“I don’t know anything about her life down here. As I said, we were born and raised in Michigan, in a small town on the Upper Peninsula off of State Highway 28. It’s a pretty little town. We get our fair share of tourists every year.”
Jonelle remembered Luther’s comment that Susanna complained about the heat and humidity in this area.
“After Suze graduated Michigan State she went back home and got a job working in local government,” Sophia said. “About that same time, I left home and after graduation went to work in Traverse City. That’s where I met my husband … um, ex-husband that is.” She looked at the naked ring finger.
“What kind of government job?”
“She started out working as a clerk in the city commissioner’s office. While there she rose through the ranks rather quickly. It seemed that every time I got a letter from her, she mentioned another promotion.” Jonelle detected a hint of pride in Sophia’s voice.
Smart, educated and a long way from home. “What was the last job she had?”
Two beeps on Jonelle’s desk phone stopped Sophia from answering.
“Sorry,” Jonelle said, looking over at the phone. “That’s from the receptionist. She must have something important for me.” She held up an index finger. “One sec.” Jonelle picked up the phone and tried not to sound annoyed. “I’m kinda busy now Rainey.” Jonelle listened to the receptionist tell her that detective Burton needed to speak to her about the victim’s sister. “Tell him Mrs. Reyes is sitting here now and I’ll call him later. Thanks.” After she replaced the handset, Jonelle spread her hands in apology. “I should have told her no interruptions. Now where were we? Oh yes, your sister’s last job in Michigan.”
Sophia shook her head. “You know, I haven’t even told my mom about Suze. Mom’s recovering from advanced stage breast cancer, and I wanted to be sure the body really was my sister’s. We were all she had left after my dad died five years ago.” Sophia’s eyes moistened. “I can’t believe Susanna’s gone.”
Jonelle pointed to the box of tissues. Sophia smiled and shook her head.
Aware Sophia hadn’t answered her question, Jonelle repeated it. “Do you know the last job Susanna held in Michigan? Was she still an office worker of some kind?”
“Office worker? Not exactly. Susanna was always good in math and very business savvy. The last job she had up there was City Treasurer.”
Jonelle stared open-mouthed. How in the world did a high ranking local government employee end up homeless and murdered on a Baltimore street a thousand miles from home?
CHAPTER 9
The next evening, Jonelle persuaded Adrienne to keep her company on her second surveillance job. Doris Henshaw suspected her husband of having an affair and wanted irrefutable proof of infidelity before deciding what steps to take in the marriage.
“So, let me get this straight,” Adrienne said as she sat on the sofa while Jonelle placed a digital camera in a backpack. “First, we’re gonna go spy on some woman’s husband and then you wanna go get something to eat? What if he heads out to a strip club or something? I’m not going into no nudie place.”
Next to the camera, Jonelle inserted a small recorder and her Beretta into the backpack. “Tonight, I want to see where he goes,” she said, zipping up the bag. “The wife claims he leaves home around ten at night, saying he’s meeting friends for a quick drink.”
“So how come she doesn’t go with him?”
“He tells her after working all week he needs a night out with the boys. According to Mrs. Henshaw, his nights out with the fellas have become more and more frequent, and last longer and longer.”
“Ahh. So she wants you to find out about these ‘fellas,’ right? ” Adrienne asked.
“Right,” Jonelle said. “That’s why she hired the agency. According to Mrs. Henshaw, he doesn’t come home until very early in the morning. She’s tried waiting up for him but always falls asleep. Don’t worry,” she said, noticing the stricken look on Adrienne’s face. “I’m not watching the place for more than a couple hours. I’m hoping once he leaves the house, he goes straight to the girlfriend.”
Adrienne shook her head. “Why do people go through all that? If he’s not happy, just leave the woman already. Am I gonna get a cut for helping you out? I mean, you’re really taking advantage of this best friend business. What if I already had a date lined up for tonight?”
“All I heard from you this past week was how Michael was getting on your very last nerve, so I figured you had room on your social calendar. Throw me that sweater. It might get cold this evening.”
Adrienne frowned at the beige cardigan, then lobbed it at Jonelle. “You gonna wear that? You look like you’re going for a job interview at the phone company.”
Jonelle rolled her eyes to the ceiling. “These slacks are comfortable. We may be sitting in the Jeep for about an hour or so.”
Adrienne sat back against the sofa and crossed her legs. “Great. But I’m betting the dude ends up with his buddies at a naked lady place. That, or trolling the streets.”
Jonelle pointed to Adrienne’s black leather pants and zebra striped top. “In that case you’ll blend right in.” She hooted with laughter.
“Oh ha ha. Funny girl. I’m serious. What do we do if he goes to see Betty and the booty shakers, huh?”
“Just be cool. I’ll figure something out if—and that’s a big if— instead of going to a girlfriend’s house he ends up somewhere funky instead.”
“Fine.”
“Grab your stuff. We’ve got about twenty minutes to get in place before he goes out.”
Both women decided against taking Jonelle’s Jeep. “I can’t get comfortable in that thing,” Adrienne had said. Jonelle agreed the gray Saab would be less conspicuous. After removing her camera she placed everything else on the back seat. Jonelle then gave instructions on how to get to the client’s address. Less than thirty minutes later, Adrienne pulled into a spot three cars down from the residence, on the opposite side of the street.
At ten o’clock on the dot, an outside light came on and Jonelle observed a tall, thin white man leave the small bungalow. “That’s him,” she said. He wore jeans positioned low over his protruding belly and a light colored turtle neck sweater. An unzipped leather bomber jacket completed his outfit. He paused on the porch and lit a cigarette.
“Looks like an average guy,” Adrienne said.
“Hmm. Most of them are. When he pulls out, keep at least one car in front of you. I don’t think he’s expecting to be followed, but you never know.”
The man ambled to the end of his sidewalk and strode up to a dark Toyota truck. He got in, waited for two cars to pass and pulled out.
“Okay,” Jonelle said. “Let’s go.”
“Roger dodger,” Adrienne said with a giggle. “I got a feeling this is gonna be fun.”
After several miles passing through tree-lined residential streets, Henshaw pulled up to a concrete and glass high rise building and parked in a spot close to the entrance.
Adrienne whistled. “That’s not what I expected from Mister Middle Class. You sure he’s screwin’ around?” Adrienne eased her car in a space marked “Visitor.”
“Don’t park here,” Jonelle said. “You’re sitting under a light.” She pointed to a darker area next to some trees. “Over there.”
Adrienne backed into a space several feet away from the left side of the entrance, in between a white Lexus and dark BMW sedan. From their vantage point they had a clear view of the building
’s foyer. “Looks like a classy place,” Adrienne said, cutting off the engine.
They watched Henshaw approach a uniformed man standing outside. After a few words, the doorman tipped his hat and opened the glass doors.
Jonelle frowned. “Gotta agree with you. This is not what I expected. Wait here.” She placed the camera in the glove compartment and scooted out of her seat in time to see Henshaw walk up to a desk. He signed something, leaned over and spoke to the man dressed in the same hunter green uniform with gold epaulets on each shoulder.
“Hey,” Adrienne said, leaning her head out of the window. “What do I do?”
Jonelle ignored the question and hurried to the entrance. She smiled at the doorman and reached out to open the glass doors. “May I help you ma’am?” he asked in a deep voice.
Jonelle pretended not to hear and went for the door. He moved over, blocking her way. She watched Henshaw enter an elevator. After the doors closed, she faced her questioner.
“Hi,” she said. The doorman’s dark eyes bored into her. His face didn’t match her smile. “I had a meeting with Mr. Henshaw earlier, and he forgot something. I need to give it back to him.”
The doorman held out his hand. “I’ll make sure he gets it.”
“Um, no offense Mr. uh,”—the badge read Rodrigo—“Rodrigo, but I’d rather give it to him in person.”
Rodrigo shook his head.
“Listen, I’d hate to tell him that he’s missing his valuables just because you won’t let me inside.”
Jonelle noticed a slight twinge of indecision in the man’s eyes. She eased forward, but his voice stopped her.
“You can’t go inside without permission,” he said, holding up his right hand. “I’ll call upstairs and have him come meet you.”
“Why can’t I wait in the lobby? It’s cold out here.”
“I’ll need to check with the resident first.”
A high pitched scream pierced the night. Startled, Jonelle lurched forward and into Rodrigo, pushing him off balance into the door. Another shriek followed.
Rodrigo regained his balance and ran down the sidewalk toward the sound of a woman’s cries. Jonelle grabbed the handle before the door closed and made a beeline for the lobby.
The man at the desk rose from his seat, but before he could say anything, Jonelle clutched at her neck. “Rodrigo needs help out there,” she said, breathing heavy as though she’d run two miles instead of walked twenty feet. “Sounds like one of your residents is being attacked.”
He sat and reached for the phone on the desk.
“No time,” Jonelle said, “he needs help now. I’ll call 9-1-1.”
She couldn’t call him by name because the area above his breast pocket was blank. Jonelle guessed his age at somewhere between fifty-five and sixty years. She almost felt sorry for him as he tugged on the collar of his uniform as if it suddenly became too tight. He peered around Jonelle. She turned and followed his gaze. No sign of Rodrigo.
He squared his shoulders and came from around the desk and rushed to the entrance doors. Two things struck her. One, the staff knew Henshaw, identifying him as a frequent visitor, and two, so much for the building’s security. Jonelle waited until he opened the glass doors before she turned the register around and picked out Henshaw’s name on the sheet, also noting that he was visiting room 727.
Jonelle hurried to the elevators and pressed the “up” button. She tapped her foot on the marble floor, praying the elevator would arrive before Rodrigo and his co-worker returned. A soft ding and on her right an empty elevator opened. Jonelle entered and punched 7.
Once the doors closed, Jonelle wondered what she’d say to whomever answered the door. As the lift rose past 3 and then 4 the crumbs of an idea formed in her mind. She didn’t need an elaborate ruse; Henshaw knew nothing about her. She’d walk up, knock on the door and feign embarrassment and shock at arriving at the wrong room. Or something like that.
After exiting and quickly determining where she needed to go, Jonelle headed in that direction. As she turned the corner a man and woman approached from the opposite direction. She recognized Henshaw and next to him a tall redhead clutched his arm. Almost the same height as Henshaw, the redhead’s emerald green spaghetti-strapped dress looked as if one chocolate peanut candy nugget could burst it’s seams. A coat of the same color hung loose from Henshaw’s other arm.
Henshaw nodded as they passed.
Jonelle managed to return his gesture and muttered a weak, “Good evening.” The two kept going, heading in the direction of the elevators.
The situation called for fast thinking. “Oh darn,” she said out loud, turning to follow the couple. “I can’t believe I left my, uh, package in the car. Now I have to go back down and get it.”
Henshaw and the woman looked at each other, and then at Jonelle. Henshaw shrugged.
Jonelle stood on the opposite side in the elevator and watched the couple’s reflection in the shiny brass panel next to them. Henshaw’s date leaned into him as the three rode down in silence.
When they arrived on the Lobby floor, Jonelle stepped to the back. Henshaw motioned for her to precede him, but she’d glimpsed Rodrigo and his co-worker talking next to the desk. She shook her head. Neither man paid any attention to Henshaw and his date as they paused while Henshaw helped his date with her coat. Jonelle pressed her thumb on the door open button and waited for Henshaw and the redhead to reach the building’s double doors before exiting the elevator.
“Hey. Wait a minute Miss,” Rodrigo said when he noticed Jonelle.
Jonelle rushed to the doors. “Thanks, guys. You saved me from having to hold onto his personal items.”
Almost running to catch up with the couple, Jonelle felt Rodrigo’s eyes on her back. “You two have a great evening,” she shouted at Henshaw. Jonelle waved. Henshaw half turned and waved back. His date stared straight ahead.
Jonelle rushed to the Saab. The car was empty. Puzzled, she reached for the handle, and pulled. As she did so, Adrienne rose up from the back seat.
Jonelle swallowed a scream. “Oh my God. You scared the crap out of me. What the hell’re you doing in the back seat?”
A self-satisfied look covered Adrienne’s face. “You can thank me later. What did you find out?”
Jonelle waited for Adrienne to come around to the driver’s side.
“Thank you for what? And keep your eyes open for Henshaw. I followed him and his sweetie out of the building, so unless there’s another way in and out of this place, they should be coming along any minute now. And I have a feeling they won’t be taking his truck.” She grabbed the camera from the glove compartment.
Almost as if on cue, a silver Lincoln Town car approached, the redhead in the passenger seat. “That’s them,” Jonelle whispered to Adrienne. “We have to follow. See where he goes.” Jonelle snapped several pictures as the Lincoln crept by.
“By the way, what was all that noise? I heard somebody scream, but I don’t see any cop cars.”
Adrienne giggled. “That’s why you need to thank me. I had to distract that guy, so the only thing I could think to do was, well, let ’er rip. So I did.”
“You’re the one who screamed?”
Adrienne nodded. She kept her eyes on the Lincoln in front of her and the satisfied look on her face.
“Didn’t Rodrigo catch you?”
Adrienne stole a quick glance over at Jonelle. “Who the hell’s Rodrigo?”
“Never mind. Hey, watch it. He’s turning left at the light.”
“I see him,” Adrienne said, also making a left turn. “Anyway when that dude in the organ grinder’s monkey suit came running up, I told him someone tried to grab me but I fought the guy off with my five-inch stilettos. He wanted to call the cops but I told him I was all right and nothing was stolen.”
Jonelle stared open-mouthed at Adrienne. For tonight anyway, she admired her friend’s act first, think about it later attitude. “Wonder where they’re going?” Jonelle asked, her
eyes back on the road. She looked out the passenger side window. Regular street lights gave way to the high density sodium kind. Liquor stores materialized on every other corner. “This area doesn’t look familiar. Don’t lose him.”
The gray Saab followed until the car pulled in front of a low rise building with a large parking area that began in front and curved around back. The neon symbol above the curved entrance to the building depicted two martini glasses, outlined in blue neon, crossed at the stem. “Liquid” red and green lights flowed from one glass to the other. Spotlights shining on a hand-painted sign below the image read “Topsey Turvey Club.” Jonelle took several pictures.
After two beats, both women looked at each other and howled with laughter.
“Shh,” Jonelle gasped. “We don’t wanna call attention to ourselves. See if you can park close. He’s seen me but not you, so we should be okay.”
It wasn’t hard keeping the big sedan in sight. The parking lot, though busy, wasn’t filled to capacity yet. That probably happened sometime around midnight. Jonelle slid down in her seat as Adrienne passed the parked Lincoln. Three aisles later, she maneuvered the Saab into an empty slot.
“I knew we’d end up in some nudie bar. I just knew it,” Adrienne said, slapping the steering wheel.
“Hey. It’s no big deal.” Jonelle raised her camera. “There they go. Great. I’m getting some good shots.” After Henshaw and his date entered the club, Jonelle turned serious. “Damn. I’m not dressed for this place. Tell you what. You go—”
“Oh, no,” Adrienne said. “I’m not going inside by myself. That guy had jeans on. You’ll be all right.” Adrienne pointed out the window. “Look at that, willya. There’re two more couples going in. What kinda guy takes a date to this kind of club?”
Jonelle shrugged. “Maybe this place isn’t so bad,” she said, looking around. The bland pale brick front could pass for a family restaurant. “Looks okay from the outside. I need to see for myself how intimate those two are. Can’t take the camera though.” She stored it back in the glove compartment. “I’m ready. Let’s go.” She undid her seatbelt and got out. Adrienne remained in the car.
The Trickster (A Jonelle Sweet Mystery Book 3) Page 6