One Step At A Time

by Brenda Adcock

  “Best one yet, Wanda,” he managed.

  Wanda blinked up at him and smiled. “You okay, Big Willie? She didn’t hurt you, did she, baby?”

  “Not much,” he shrugged.

  Teddy Wilson, the back-up officer, pushed through the front door with his pistol drawn and stared at the sight before him. “Whatcha got, Sal?” he asked.

  “Domestic disturbance and assault on a police officer...twice,” Sal stated, still trying to breathe normally. She nudged Wanda with the toe of her boot. “What went on in here?” she asked.

  “Can I get up now?” Wanda asked.

  “Slowly,” Sal warned.

  Wanda stood up and sat down heavily on the couch, taking a deep breath and gazing at Big Willie. “It’s a little embarrassing, officer, but me and Big Willie just got married a couple of weeks ago. We was in the middle of a little...uh...afternoon nookie call, y’know.”

  “We got this nosey old guy next door and Wanda’s a screamer,” Big Willie threw in with a stupid grin on his bloody face. He shook his head. “She really gets into it, but I never thought that old boy would call the cops. I wouldn’t never hurt Wanda, officer. Swear to God, man.”

  “Why take a swing at me then,” Sal asked. “You could have just told me the deal.”

  “I was pissed because we weren’t done,” Big Willie said. “I didn’t hurt ya, did I?

  “Why’d you jump me, Wanda?”

  “Thought you was hurtin’ my Big Willie,” Wanda mumbled.

  “Unfortunately, we’ll have to take you both in, but you should be out soon on bail. I recommend you install some soundproofing material to prevent any more disturbance calls,” Sal advised. “And Wanda, you might want to get dressed in somethin’ less revealin’,” she added.

  “Can I clean up Big Willie’s face first?” Wanda asked.

  “Go ahead,” Sal nodded. “Let us know when you’re ready to go, okay?”

  “Can we ride together?” Big Willie chirped. “Never ridden in a police car before.”

  “Will you turn on the lights and siren?” Wanda asked excitedly. “We’ll be Wanda and Big Willie. Sorta like Bonnie and Clyde, only still alive,” she grinned.

  Sal and Teddy waited on the front porch for Wanda and Big Willie to come outside. They looked at each other and chuckled. “Well, that’s a first,” Teddy said.

  “I’m tryin’ to figure out what to put on the report,” Sal said, rubbing her back. “That Wanda’s a big girl. Damn near broke my back,” she laughed as she stretched her back out. “Big Willie ain’t no feather either.”

  SAL TAPPED HER pen on a worktable and glanced at her watch. She was supposed to be off shift at two, but after the escapade with Wanda and Big Willie, along with the accompanying paperwork, it was now five-forty-five. She had already sent Flo a text telling her she’d be late and to save her a plate. At six o’clock she signed her name to the final page of her reports and dropped them into her sergeant’s in-box. She figured he’d at least get a chuckle out of the report on Wanda and Willie, the vocally amorous newlyweds.

  She stopped on her way out of the police station and poured a couple of cups of coffee. Then she got in her vehicle and backed out, pointing the car toward the Wichita County Jail, something she wasn’t looking forward to, but knew Flo would hit her with a thousand questions as soon as she walked in the house. Flo kept her promise the night before and the feel of her hands and body had warmed Sal most of the night, but the lack of sleep left her exhausted during her shift. Now she owed Flo and would try to get Maddie to speak to her, but wasn’t ready to take any shit from their smart-mouthed boarder today.

  Sal moseyed into the county jail, signed in, and locked her sidearm in a box before walking down the mostly empty line of cells in the women’s section. She stopped in front of cell 12D and stared in at Maddie. She was lying on her back, staring at the ceiling, her arms folded under her head. She ignored Sal, but Sal knew Maddie had flicked her eyes in her direction for a second, then closed them.

  “Go away,” Maddie said.

  “Looks like that sparklin’ personality hasn’t improved,” Sal replied. “Brought you some coffee, James.”

  “Cop coffee? Prob’ly sucks,” Maddie said and rolled onto her side to face the cell wall.

  “Guess what smart-ass, I can still see you. Your lawyer been here?”

  “Don’t matter. I don’t want to see him either. Now get the fuck outta here!”

  “Yeah, I got that, but I promised Flo and Dani I’d drop in to talk to you. So, here I am, like it or not. They’re real upset you won’t see them.”

  “Nothin’ to say and they got nothin’ I want to hear.”

  “They’re worried ’bout you. For some damn reason I can’t figure out, they care.”

  Maddie rolled over and glared at Sal. “Flo only cares about losin’ my rent money and keepin’ her nose up my ass to make sure I don’t molest anyone. She thinks I’m a sexual predator, bidin’ my time until I can molest some innocent girl like Dani. But Dani isn’t the sweet, innocent girl Flo thinks she is. Makes me sorry I didn’t take her when I had a chance,” Maddie snarled. “At least then there’d be a reason why my ass is sittin’ in this damn cell. Dani’s got a job that conflicts with my best interests. It’s her fuckin’ job to put me back in prison, but I’m sure as shit not gonna help her do it. That lyin’ bitch told me she cared, but she lied just like they all did. I can’t trust her. I can’t trust anyone,” she muttered.

  “Must be why she’s killin’ herself tryin’ to find a way to clear you, but isn’t prison where you belong? I told Flo you was trouble, but she gave you a fuckin’ place to lay your head. You seriously think we need your goddamn twenty bucks to survive? You’re nothin’ but a fuckin’ ingrate, James! You’re just damn lucky I don’t open this cell and give you a personalized attitude adjustment.”

  Maddie launched herself off the small cot and wrapped her hands around two of the peeling bars on her cell. “Then do it, ya stupid fuckin’ coward!” Maddie screamed at Sal. “You think you’d be the first one to work me over, bitch?” Unexpectedly, her arm shot out between the bars and slapped one of the coffee cups out of Sal’s hand. “I don’t need your damn help. Leave me the fuck alone,” she mumbled as she backed away and dropped down on her cot, rolling over to stare at the wall.

  “That was your cup of coffee, loser,” Sal said.

  “Figures,” Maddie snorted.

  A WEEK LATER, on Saturday morning, Flo drove the girls from her boarding house to the Salvation Army Thrift store to look for gently used coats that would keep them warm over the winter months. She’d heard the store had just received a new shipment of donated clothes, including coats. One of her girls had recently given birth and was looking for warmer sleepwear for her baby.

  Flo was looking through the coats and loved the look and feel of a buckskin-colored, hip-length leather jacket. When she pulled it from the rack, it weighed a ton, and she checked the stitching to make sure the cold north Texas wind wouldn’t penetrate the leather or lining. She had seen a similar coat in a higher-priced store in the mall for three-hundred dollars. The one in front of her was marked at sixty bucks and she couldn’t pass it up. She stopped a worker who was hanging more clothes they’d just unpacked and asked, “I really want this coat, but don’t have the full amount on me right now. Do y’all have a layaway or can you hold it for me until I come back?”

  “No layaway,” the woman responded. “Everthin’ is first come, first serve, but that coat will probably go quick.”

  “Can I speak to your manager?” Flo asked.

  “Ella’s in her office, through those double doors,” the woman said, pointing to the swinging doors into the back that said ‘Employees Only’. “Can’t promise nothin’,” she said, continuing to hang clothes as Flo walked away.

  Flo pushed through the swinging doors and knocked on the door that said ‘Manager’.

  “Come on in,” a voice calle
d out from behind the door.

  Flo opened the door and peeked inside. “Mornin’ Ella,” she said with a smile.

  “Haven’t seen you in here for a while, Flo,” the pleasant-looking woman behind the desk said with a smile.

  “I brought my girls down. They need coats for this winter. Somethin’ sturdy for the wind we always get and I found this coat. I love it, but I can’t swing sixty right now and was hopin’ maybe we could work out a way I could pay it off in a couple of payments or somethin’,” Flo explained, crossing her fingers.

  “I’d like to help you out, but it’s not something we normally do,” Ella said.

  Flo pulled a chair in front of the desk and sat down. “I know, but I send quite a bit of business your way and I can pay half now.”

  “Best I can do is drop the price a few dollars. We just don’t have the room to store anything similar to a layaway and if I do it once, I’d have to do it for everyone,” Ella said, leaning back in her chair. “It would be a bookkeeping nightmare.”

  Flo lowered her head, trying to think. Then she noticed the nameplate sitting on the desk: Ella Sandiford—Store Manager. Sandiford! She glanced up quickly at the pleasant-looking woman sitting in front of her, but didn’t say anything. She’s known her for at least the last five years, but had never known her last name. She might have known it once upon a time, but had forgotten it long ago. “I’ll call a friend. Maybe she’ll loan me thirty bucks until next month. Guess I’ll just wander around the store until I talk to her,” she said.

  “I’m really sorry, Flo. If I owned the store, I’d do it for you in a heartbeat,” Ella said as she stood.

  “No problem,” Flo said. “Next time I’ll bring more cash with me.”

  Flo handed the coat to one of the girls with her and stepped outside to make a quick call.

  “Danielle Hunter.”

  “Dani, this is Flo. I need a really big favor,” Flo said quickly.

  “Whatcha need, Flo?” Dani asked.

  “I need to borrow thirty dollars until the first of next month,” Flo spat out.

  “No problem. You can come over tonight and I’ll have it waiting,” Dani said.

  “No, I can’t wait. I need it right now,” Flo responded.

  Flo told Dani where to bring the cash as soon as possible. That she wouldn’t be sorry. About thirty minutes later, Dani pulled into a parking slot next to the thrift store. She didn’t see Flo and made her way into the store. She spotted Flo pacing back and forth between two circular clothing racks and pulled her wallet from her shoulder bag, prepared to hand Flo the money she’d requested. Flo waved at her and waited for Dani to join her. Flo stared at the money in Dani’s hand and pushed it away.

  “I don’t need the money after all.” She pointed at the leather coat and said, “But you might.”

  “I already have a coat,” Dani frowned, slightly irritated at being called out for no reason. “It’s nice, Flo, but not really my style.”

  “Thought you might want it for Maddie when she gets out. Hers is pathetic and this has her name written all over it. Very butch,” Flo said excitedly.

  “What the hell are you talking about?” Dani asked.

  “I found Sandiford!” Flo hissed.

  “Who?” Dani asked, looking confused.

  “Sandiford, the inmate who killed herself. The manager of this store’s name is Sandiford. I bet if you asked her a few questions, you’d find out they were related somehow,” Flo said. “It’s not a common name.”

  “Call Sal and see if she’ll come down here. I’d rather she asked the questions,” Dani said.

  “Sure, sure,” Flo nodded. “You gonna get the coat? It’s a deal and would make a great Christmas present. It’s practically brand new...unless you don’t really like Maddie as much as I think you do.”

  “God. Is it that obvious? Okay, I’ll get the damn coat if it shuts you up,” Dani said. She ran her hand over the soft leather. “But it does feel nice,” she admitted with a smile.

  When Sal pulled up in her cruiser, Dani watched her and Flo argue while standing on the sidewalk near the thrift store entrance. After a few minutes, Sal stomped into the store, shoved her hat back on her head, and walked to the back of the store as if she were on a mission, motioning Dani to follow her. Sal stopped before pushing the double swinging doors open and asked, “Now what am I supposed to be doin’?”

  “What did Flo tell you?” Dani asked in return.

  “That I wouldn’t be gettin’ any for at least a month if I didn’t ask this woman some questions to find out if she’s related to that inmate who killed herself,” Sal spat out.

  “I’m sorry, Sal. We probably should have met first to work up some questions for you,” Dani said, concealing her grin.

  “Oh, ya think!” Sal hissed.

  “Look at the positive side,” Dani offered. “Maybe you’ll uncover the real killer and become the first female detective in Wichita Falls.”

  “Break through the good ole boy ceilin’?” Sal smiled. “That would be sweet. Let’s go,” she said, shoving the doors open and pulling her hat down again. She rapped on the manager’s door and entered without waiting. Ella Sandiford looked up and saw Sal standing in her office with her thumbs stuffed in her utility belt. “I need to ask you a few questions, Miss Sandiford,” Sal said.

  “Of course, officer,” Ella said, leaning back in her chair. “Is it about the coat Flo wants to buy?”

  “What coat?” Sal asked, looking at Dani.

  “Doesn’t matter,” Dani answered in a low voice. “Ask her if she was born in Wichita Falls?”

  “This your home town?” Sal asked.

  “No, I was born in Burkburnett.”

  “Are you an only child?” Dani asked. She decided there wasn’t much sense in telling Sal the question and having her repeat it.

  “No. I had a twin sister,” Ella answered.

  “Had?”

  “She committed suicide a couple of years ago,” Ella responded calmly.

  “Did she leave a note saying why?” Dani asked.

  “No, but I knew why,” Ella answered, her eyes hard.

  Dani’s gaze scanned the office and landed on an older model IBM Selectric typewriter on a typing table behind Ella’s desk. Dani smiled. “I used to have a typewriter just like that. My parents bought it when I left home for college. I haven’t seen one in years,” she said.

  “It was donated by someone, but we never could sell it because it’s so heavy,” Ella said. “So, I elected to keep it to type personal letters on.”

  “It has the interchangeable fonts, right?” Dani asked.

  “This only has one, but it’s good enough for me,” Ella grinned slightly.

  Dani reached into her shoulder bag and pulled out a copy of the bloody note found in Sabreena Douglas’ pocket. “Did you use it to type this note to Sabreena Douglas?” she asked quietly. She watched a series of emotions work their way across Ella’s face.

  Ella clenched her jaw and stood up, placing her hands on her desk and leaning forward. “You’re damn right I did! She killed Emma and deserved everything she got!” she ground out with hatred burning in her eyes. “I couldn’t let her destroy anyone else,” she added calmly.

  Sal said, “Ella Sandiford, you’re under arrest for suspicion of murder. Step around the desk and raise your hands,” she ordered. While she handcuffed Ella, she recited her Miranda rights and led her away.

  Flo stared at Dani. “It can’t really be that simple, can it?” she asked.

  Dani shrugged. “Apparently it is, but I’ll have to read her statement to believe it,” she answered. “My boss probably won’t be happy, but it’ll save the county a small fortune.”

  ELLA SANDIFORD SAT calmly on one side of a scarred wooden table in a small interrogation room. Sal stood next to the only door in the room, waiting to turn her prisoner over to Detectives Nolan and Suarez and trying to think of a way to remain
in the room to observe their interrogation. Although Ella’s statement had implicated her in the death of Sabreena Douglas, it wasn’t a slam dunk by any means. Sal and Maddie gradually came to an arrangement they could both live with after Maddie moved in, but that didn’t mean Sal trusted her any further than she could throw her smart-ass. However, Sal couldn’t stand by and watch the detectives attempt to swing the case back around to Maddie as their killer. Sal had to admit that Ella Sandiford looked like an unlikely candidate for a murderer. Although she was a hard-nosed cop, Sal was an honest one and damn proud of it.

  Nolan, followed by Suarez, finally entered the small room, pulled out two straight-back wooden chairs, and sat down opposite Ella Sandiford. “You can leave, officer,” Nolan said.

  “I’d rather stay, detective, if you don’t mind, to observe your interrogation technique, sir,” Sal said politely.

  Nolan smiled. “Hopin’ to make detective yourself someday?” he asked.

  “Yes, sir,” she said, returning his smile.

  “Then just stand against the back wall and don’t talk,” he said.

  “Thank you, sir,” Sal said.

  Nolan flipped open the file folder he’d carried into the room and settled it between himself and Suarez. “Have you been apprised of your rights, Miss Sandiford?” he started.

  “Yes, I was,” Ella answered. “And yes, I understood them completely. I don’t need a lawyer.”

  “Do you know why you were taken into custody?” Nolan asked.

  Ella nodded. “Because I admitted that I typed a note to Sabreena Douglas.”

  “How did you get that note to Miss Douglas?” Suarez asked.

  “I mailed it to another inmate Emma and I knew and asked her to give it to Bree. I’m assuming she did because Bree showed up in Wichita Falls not long after she was paroled,” Ella answered. “I knew she would, so all I had to do was bide my time.”