“This is harassment, you dirty bastard.”
“I don’t give a damn. Prove it.”
Tori felt both of her hands being yanked fiercely together. She then felt cold steel against them.
“You don’t need to handcuff me.”
“True. But I am. I’ll teach you to spy on me in motel rooms.”
“You’re arresting me for nothing.”
“Jaywalking is something. And so is being insubordinate to a police officer. And I still may be able to squeeze a little bit of resisting in there as well.”
“You piece of shit whore. I swear, I’ll get you for this.”
“Threatening a police officer. Yes indeed, you definitely have to go to jail.”
Herndon grabbed Tori by her shoulders and pulled her to her feet. He immediately started moving her towards his police car. Tori noticed a couple of bystanders watching.
“He’s harassing me. He’s a jerk.”
“That ain’t gonna do you no good. What, you think ‘cause your kid sister’s in the hospital, that entitles you to break the law? That entitles you to get sympathy from people?”
“I didn’t break any damn law. Everybody crosses at that spot.”
“That’s right. And everybody will continue. Except you.”
“You damn jerk. My purse. Get my damn purse.”
“I’ll come back and get it, as soon as I put my obstinate prisoner in the car.”
“You ain’t seen obstinate yet.”
“More threats. Oh, I love it. I absolutely love it.”
To the car they headed, with Tori fussing and cussing every step of the way. The angrier she became, the more Herndon loved it. Tori wanted to rip his throat out, or even better, she would have loved to have moved a good deal lower. However, she had no power currently. She’d have to settle for one thing only – the fact that she was seriously making his day. The man was almost about to laugh with glee.
Robbie parked his old, rusting Chevette in front of his aging apartment building. He wasn’t in the best of spirits as he got out of his car. He carried a bottle of whiskey in a bag in his hand. He had already spent some of the loot from Ava.
He was supposed to have also met with Tori over two hours ago, but she hadn’t shown up. Robbie was worried. He hoped she hadn’t changed her mind. He loved the idea of receiving all that money. He had called her place, but he had gotten no answer. He figured she would get in contact with him soon. She was desperate for that disk.
He went up the dirty, beer-stained steps that led inside. Once inside, the musty smell of the hallway instantly hit his nostrils. He wouldn’t have to put up with the filth of this place much longer, he thought thankfully. Between Ava and hopefully Tori, he’d be able to rent something better now. He couldn’t wait for Matt to get back in town, so that he could give him the good news. When he moved to a better apartment, he would move Matt in with him. He loved that man so.
Robbie walked past Christy’s apartment. Next to it was the stairwell, where Horace the drunk – an old gray-haired wino – sat on the bottom step. It was a normal spot for him and as usual, he was swigging down a can of beer. Robbie could tell, Horace wasn’t drunk yet, because he would normally shout insults at anybody who passed by. Robbie got at least four or five fags from him most days.
Robbie walked on down to the other end of the hall, where his apartment was located. He took out his key and got ready to unlock the door, but stopped. He heard loud laughter coming from the other end of the hall. He then saw Christy come out of her apartment. She wore nothing but a short T-shirt. But what Robbie saw next, stunned all life out of him. Matt came out behind Christy. He giggled, as did Christy, and the two embraced and kissed. Robbie was so shocked, that he couldn’t move. He couldn’t speak. He watched in consternation as Matt backed Christy towards the door. Still embracing, Matt kissed her on her neck and cheeks. Matt’s back faced Robbie, but Christy was able to see him. She stuck up her index finger at him – the infamous “Up Yours” sign. Matt didn’t even notice. The two disappeared on out the front door.
Robbie stood there, his body bursting with two emotions at once. He was deeply hurt by Matt. As for Christy, he wanted to break her head.
Robbie went on and let himself inside the apartment, but he didn’t close the door. He stood just inside the doorway, still trying to recover. He dropped his bag to the floor. He turned hot with anger.
A minute or so later, he heard the loudly laughing Christy come back inside. He also heard a door slam, and the laughing disappear with it. He knew it was her gone back inside.
Robbie couldn’t stand it. If that wench thought she would get away with this, she would be greatly disappointed. He would tell her a serious piece of his mind. Robbie turned and swung back through the doorway. He didn’t even bother to close the door, which was not smart for this apartment building. He stormed down the hallway and back past Horace, who was still swigging.
Robbie banged on Christy’s door several times wildly. The door came open and there stood Christy, smug face and all.
“Well hi there, Mr. Gay Boy. What’s up?”
“You damn bitch.”
“Bitches are women. I was lately – a man. Phony dick and all, that I rammed up Matt’s tail. He loved it too. Think you could do better?”
Robbie boiled. His eyes felt as if they were growing an inch a second.
“I doubt it,” Christy assailed. “Go somewhere and eat your heart out.”
She got ready to close the door, but Robbie grabbed the door. He pushed his way inside, and then he pushed the door closed. Robbie saw deep fear creep into Christy’s eyes. He knew that was good, because she definitely had a right to feel it.
“What’s your problem, Gay Boy?” she asked.
“You my damn problem.”
“You better get out of here.”
“Maybe I refuse.”
Christy stared at him briefly.
“Get out of here, fag,” she yelled. “Or I’ll scream, or I’ll call the cops, or whatever.”
“You ain’t callin’ nobody, whore!”
Robbie went for her. Christy swung a vicious punch that hit him in the face, but it didn’t even faze Robbie. He clamped both hands to her neck. Christy tried to scream, but all she did was gag.
Robbie held her neck tightly, and he pushed her back towards the couch.
“By the time I finish with your face, slut, ain’t no man gone ever want your ugly ass again.”
Christy tried to loosen his grip, but it was to no avail. Robbie backed her to the couch and they fell over the arm. Christy landed on her back; Robbie landed on top of her. But Robbie quickly made his way to his knees, driving them into Christy’s stomach. Robbie then freed his right hand from her neck, but kept a more than strong enough grip with his left. Embellishing a crazed frown, and with his teeth grit like clamps, he balled a fist and reared back.
“Damn whore!”
Oh he was going to enjoy this so much. He was going to enjoy every single luscious punch.
Tori fumed as she sat on the bed of the dirty jail cell. She was in the cell alone. She raised her feet slightly, in order to let two roaches crawl under the bed. She knew they’d go over her feet otherwise. They had crawled up her legs earlier. Everything for the most part was quiet. There were several women in the adjacent cells, but there wasn’t much noise or talking coming from them. Tori also cringed at the thought that she was in the same building as Joe Riley. But for the time being, not even he wrought as much hatred in her as Herndon.
She wanted to kill Herndon. She was nearly dying to get her hands on that disk. She wondered what Robbie, as well as Simone, thought of her not showing up. She needed to talk to Simone, but so far she had been denied making a phone call. She was so frustrated currently.
She thought, helplessly right now, about her plans. She and Simone were supposed to have met Robbie at the mall. Simone, though she hadn’t been happy about the idea, had agreed to let Robbie depart with her practically
brand new 2018 Buick LaCrosse. Tori’s Mustang was too old. Robbie was to take the car off somewhere and leave it with a friend. He would then drive the friend’s car back to the mall. Robbie had wanted it that way in order to protect against Tori trying anything. Once the disk and money were exchanged, Robbie would leave the mall and make a call to his friend – designated by a time – known only to him and the friend. The friend would then call Tori on Tori’s cell phone. He would tell she and Simone where to find the car. If for some reason, things went wrong and the friend never received the call from Robbie, then Simone’s gift from her daddy would go up in flames. And Tori would be out over thirty thousand dollars for the price of a new car. Robbie had also promised to burn the money if any cops showed up.
Tori suspected, though, that Robbie didn’t really have that friend. But she would take no chances in getting the disk, and she would do all she could in protecting Simone’s car. Simone had insisted on the latter.
However, everything was on hold currently, because Tori was trapped. She heard the door leading back to the jail cells slide open, the electric button having been pushed. She then heard footsteps. A few moments later, Herndon appeared in front of the cell.
“How’s my newest prisoner doing?” he asked vengefully.
“Damn it, Herndon,” Tori screeched. She jumped up and walked to the front of the cell.
“You let me out of here. You could’ve ticketed me. You didn’t have to throw me in here for jaywalking.”
Herndon didn’t say anything at first. He only glared at her devilishly.
“ . . . You think you’re so tough, don’t you?” he said slyly. “Your little motel tape almost did me in. I had a time talking my wife out of leaving me. She was gonna take me for everything I had.”
“I was doing my job. You ought to learn to keep your pants on.”
“I had to beg. I don’t like having to beg anybody. She was gonna burn me good.”
“If you got out of it, what are you so bitter about?”
“Cause I went through hell. Still am – thanks to you. I’m permanent ass-kissing now.”
“You look here, I have a right to make a phone call. I have to make a very important call.”
“In due time, darling. But first, some paperwork’s got to be taken care of.”
“I don’t have time to wait on any damn paperwork to make my call.”
“You wanna bet? We do things my way in my jail.”
“Damn you, Herndon. I’ll get you for this.”
“I’ve got Sergeant Hawkes doing the paperwork. I told him to take his time. He got the point. He’s real good at that kind of stuff.”
“You’ll be sorry for this. I swear you will.”
“Hawkes is so slow, I wouldn’t be surprised if you had to spend the entire day and night with us.” Herndon laughed.
Tori just stood there, more livid than ever. If not for those bars, she’d beat the hell out of Herndon.
“You’ll learn not to screw with me, sweetheart,” Herndon said shrewdly. “Believe me, this is small potatoes compared to what I can do to you.”
Tori still wouldn’t speak. With what she had to say, she knew she’d only make things worse.
Herndon left the cell and headed back out. But he stopped and turned, halfway to the door.
“I’m gonna recommend a nice, big fine for your crime. Judge Levy always listens to my recommendations. Unlike you, she’s a very smart lady.”
He put up a hand and waved to her.
“Bye-Bye. For now.”
With a huge grin on his face, Herndon turned and strutted on out of the cell area, the door clanging closed behind him. Tori could do nothing. She grabbed hold of the bars, and she dropped her head helplessly against them.
Robbie sat there on the floor, overwhelmed. His legs were crossed under him. His arms were folded. He was nearly in a daze. He looked around the room at the junky apartment. It was as if he were trying to see if all this was really true. He looked back to the body. It was only a couple of feet away.
Her right arm hung limply over the side of the couch. The other arm was thrown over the back. Her legs hung lifelessly over the arm of the couch. Her head was turned to face Robbie. Her face was wrought with shock. Her nose was bloody. Her eyes were wide open. They stared straight at Robbie.
As angry as he had been, he had never meant to kill her. After the first punch, she had grabbed hold of his neck. He had retaliated. Only, for some reason, once those hands had wrapped around that neck, they hadn’t been able to let go. They had just stayed there as if they
had been glued, and they had continued to press, and press, and press.
They had pressed all the life out of Christy. And now, Robbie figured that he had sat in that same spot for at least an hour. He obviously had to make a move. In fact, he had to get out of there. Prison was not the place for him. He loved men, but not to the degree where he wanted to give up his freedom. He had to get out of this place, and now. He had to run like hell and hope for the best.
Matt. Robbie’s lover went through his mind. He had to find a way to get to him. He could forgive Matt for what he had done. They could run away together. Robbie had the money from Ava stashed under a piece of tile in his apartment – that nobody knew came up from the floor. He would get that money, and then he would get Matt. Matt had to come with him; he just had to come.
Robbie hopped to his feet. For an instant, he couldn’t help but become frozen by the sight in front of him. He stared at Christy in disbelief. He then forced himself away and towards the door, stumbling a little. He got to the door, opened it, took one last look back at what he had done, and then left the apartment. He quietly closed the door behind him.
He started down the hallway, but stopped when he saw Horace the drunk still on the stairwell. Robbie stared frightfully at him.
Horace held a beer can. There were three on the floor in front of him.
“ . . . What you lookin’ at, fag?”
The words snapped Robbie out of a near-trance. He stumbled on away and down the hallway to his own apartment. The door was still open. He stopped just inside the doorway. He felt like he was about to collapse. He dropped to his knees and just gazed at the floor. He was bewildered. He was about to go into shock.
Robbie Riley, what’ve you gotten yourself into this time? That was what his tormented brain beseeched to the rest of him.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Tori sat alone on the couch in her apartment. This Monday had been a rough one for her so far. Depressed, she had the newspaper sitting on her lap. She had been released from jail yesterday, after Simone had posted her bail using agency funds. Herndon had made good on his threat and had kept her in jail overnight. She had gone through court first thing this morning, and she now had a misdemeanor on her record, in addition to being five hundred dollars poorer. Herndon had made it very clear to the judge that Tori had been a very abusive prisoner. Hence, the big fine.
Tori was determined to get revenge on Herndon, but right now, she had other things on her mind. On the second page of the Del Toray Press was a small photo of Robbie Riley. A headline accompanied the photo: Another Riley Suspect. Tori had already read the article. It told of how Joe Riley, the fiend of the city, was now joined in contempt by his younger brother. Robbie Riley was the prime suspect in the murder of Christy Cleets. A witness had heard him arguing with Christy, and had seen him leave the apartment at near the time the coroner had predicted time of death. In addition, preliminary blood tests had a fingerprint lifted from the victim’s neck as having belonged to Robbie. Robbie had a criminal record for shoplifting, therefore, his prints were on file. Tori stared at Robbie’s photo. She was in shock. She hadn’t thought Robbie Riley could be a killer. What had caused him to snap? But the worst of it was –what would she do now? It was rumored that Robbie had skipped town. Where had he gone? Did he have the disk with him? His apartment had been searched by police. A contact that Tori had made at the police department had
told her no disk had shown up.
What if Robbie had hidden the tape somewhere else? Without him, she would never find it.
And what would happen when he got caught? He would no longer have any incentive to help her. Or what if he got killed trying to escape police? All hope would be gone then.
The questions blazed through Tori’s mind, and she couldn’t come up with a positive answer for any of them. She and Simone had contacts out on the streets, and Tori had already put out the word that there would be a small reward for any viable information leading to Robbie’s whereabouts. That was the case, although, she didn’t know exactly what she’d do if she found him. She did know that she probably wouldn’t turn him in, at least, not if he helped her. She was well aware that was a terrible attitude, but right now, she was desperate. She had to have that disk. If Robbie had the tape, then she would get down on her knees and beg him for it. She might would even help him to escape – anything – she figured, she’d do to get that tape. She could not let Ava get away with what she had done. There had to be a way to prove that woman’s guilt.
Tori threw the paper aside. She then noticed that the front door to her apartment was coming open. It could be only one person; she was the only other one with keys.
Simone came somberly into the apartment.
“How you doing?” she asked.
“The same . . . Rotten.”
Simone walked to the couch and sat down. She threw an arm around her friend and gave her a hug.
“You’re hurting so much, Tori. I feel so sorry for you.”
“Not as sorry as I feel.”
“That Herndon’s such a jerk. We’re gonna get him.”
“He’s the least of my worries right now. That disk, Simone; I’ve got to have it. It must exist. Robbie wouldn’t have gone that far with the deal, if it didn’t.”
“Well, if it’s still possible, you’ll get that tape. What Ava did was despicable. We’ll find a way to get her.”
Princess Reigns Page 18