by Philip Cox
‘I don’t give a shit. I wanna watch some porn.’
‘But this is important. I need -’
‘Give me the goddam laptop.’
‘Well let me just save what I’ve -’
She heard some scuffling, and then, ‘Billy, you’re such an asshole when you're drunk.’
‘Bite me.’
Then Bobby stormed into the living room, and grabbed his jacket off a chair. ‘Let me know when that asshole has sobered up,’ he said and left, slamming the door.
She got up and walked into the kitchen. Billy was sitting at the table. She could hear that he had found some porn.
‘Look,’ she said slowly. ‘I need to go to work in an hour or so. I’m going home to change. I’ll see you.’
Getting no response from Billy, she turned, picked up her bag, and left.
*****
The rain had totally stopped by the time Ben and Craig reached Davenport, although the roads and sidewalks were wet. They drove straight for the gas station, and pulled up at one of the pumps. The elderly attendant was just finishing off another customer, and then he came over to them.
‘Afternoon, gents,’ he said, ‘Fill her up?’
‘Yes please,’ Craig replied.
Once the tank was filled Craig drove away from the pumps and stopped outside the workshop. Ben got out first.
‘Be careful,’ Craig called out.
‘It’s okay,’ Ben waved back at him. He walked into the workshop. One of the mechanics looked up from under a car hood. ‘Help you?’
‘Yeah. I’m looking for Billy Loomis,’ Ben said cheerfully, aware that Craig was now standing in the doorway behind him. ‘Is he in today?’
The mechanic laughed. ‘You’re looking for Billy Loomis? Well, isn’t everybody?’
‘What do you mean?’
‘I mean the police were here first thing this morning looking for him.’
‘Have they taken him?’
‘No, he wasn’t here.’
‘He hasn’t been in today? Where is he?’
‘Just as I told those two cops, I haven’t seen him today, and I got no idea where he is.’
‘Would he be at home?’
The mechanic laughed again. ‘Well, if he was, he’s not there now; he’ll be at Police Headquarters.’
‘I see. Well, thanks, anyway.’ They began to walk back to the car. Craig started the engine, and was just about to drive off when the mechanic tapped on his window.
Craig wound the window down. ‘Yes?’
‘You guys friends of Billy’s? Not seen you around here and you don’t sound like you’re from around these parts.’
‘We’re sort of friends,’ said Craig.
‘Sort of?’ asked the mechanic.
‘We met up a couple of years back,’ lied Craig, grateful that this guy was not around when they came here before. ‘Said we’d keep in touch off and on. Thought we’d come down and surprise him.’
‘Well, sorry you’ve had a wasted trip,’ the mechanic said.
‘No problem,’ smiled Craig.
‘Thing is, if the cops are looking for him, he’ll be lying low for a while.’
‘How long?’
He shrugged. ‘Depends why they are looking for him. But if he doesn’t want to be found, he won’t.’
‘Do you know where he’d be?’
‘Sorry, pal, no idea.’
‘Never mind. No problem. Thanks anyway.’
‘But I know somebody else who will definitely know.’
Craig braked sharply. ‘Who?’
‘Some local girl he goes around with sometimes. Not sure if he’s banging her or not. She’ll probably know.’
By now Craig was getting impatient. ‘Who is she, and where can we find her?’
‘Don’t know where she lives, but I’ve seen her with Billy at a bar just by Interstate.’
‘Shots?’
‘Yeah, that’s the one. Why don’t you ask for her there?’
‘That’s great. Thanks very much. Do you know her name?’
The mechanic rubbed his chin. ‘Not sure, can’t say as I remember. But ask at the bar for Billy Loomis’s girlfriend. I’m sure they’ll know who you mean.’
‘Will do. Thanks again.’ Craig wound up the window, and put the car into Drive again. There was another tap on the glass. He wound the window down again and looked up at the mechanic.
‘Just remembered,’ he said, looking pleased with himself. ‘It’s Stacey. Her name’s Stacey.’
Chapter Thirty-Three
CRAIG AND BEN looked over at each other, each with a triumphant gleam in his eye.
‘You don’t remember her surname as well, do you?’ Craig enquired hopefully.
The mechanic scratched the back of his head. ‘No, sorry. All I can remember is Stacey. But the best place to find her is the bar. About this high,’ – he held his hand out to just below his shoulder – ‘long dark hair. Black helmet.’
‘Helmet?’ Craig looked up at him quizzically.
‘Crash helmet,’ he explained. ‘For her bike. Always roaring round the streets on the damned thing.’
‘Okay, that’s great,’ said Craig. ‘Thanks very much again.’
‘No problem,’ the mechanic said, giving them a small salute with his index finger. ‘Ya’ll have a good day now.’
‘Well that proves it,’ Ben exclaimed as Craig pulled into the traffic on the main street.
‘That it was this Stacey that Adam was with on the CCTV?’
‘Yes; it all fits. You remember: although we couldn’t see her face, she appeared about what – five foot? Dark hair down to her shoulders.’
‘And black leather trousers and jacket.’
‘And black leather trousers and jacket. Just like a biker would wear.’
‘I wonder if she was at the bar all the times we went. We just didn’t recognize her.’
‘I know somebody who might know,’ Ben said.
‘That little waitress. What was her name?’
‘Corinne.’
‘That’s right. Corinne. Would be worth a try.’
‘Yeah, I’d wanted to see her again, or try to at any rate.’
‘How do you mean try to?’
‘Well, you remember that night, when we both got set up?’
‘How could I forget?’
‘Well the last time I saw her was when we were walking across that car park.’
‘Of course, yes.’
‘I heard her gasp as that bag or whatever it was got put over my head. I’d like to make sure she’s okay.’
‘And find out why she didn’t call the police when it happened.’
‘Yes, I’d been wondering about that.’
‘No use asking her who it was. We’ve got a fair idea of that already.’
‘Hm. Anyway, it would be good to see her again.’
‘Sure it would,’ said Craig, glancing over his shoulder to change lanes. ‘When was your last time, by the way?’
‘My last time what?’
‘The last time you had sex?’
Ben laughed. ‘Several months ago. What about you?’
‘A lifetime ago.’
‘I thought we were going to see McGee and
Sanchez,’ said Ben, just noticing that Craig was pulling into the entrance of their apartment complex.
‘I don’t feel like going out tonight,’ said Craig as he parked the car. ‘You go.’
‘What are you going to do?’
‘I just feel like a night in. I need to chill a bit, and update Mum and Dad on what’s happened so far. I’ll phone Sanchez this evening, when I’ve eaten and showered.’
‘Okay, if you’re sure. You positive everything’s okay?’
Craig tossed Ben the car keys as they walked across the lawn in front of their building. ‘Yes, everything’s fine. Just need to catch up with some sleep, that’s all, I guess.’
Once inside, Craig flopped down onto the sofa and switched on the TV. Be
n took a shower, shaved and changed. At six o’clock he was ready to leave. Craig had not moved from the sofa; now he was watching a rerun of the A-Team. ‘Enjoy yourself,’ he said, looking up at Ben.
‘Are you sure you’re okay?’ Ben asked again. ‘I feel a bit...’
Craig sat up. ‘No, no. It’s no problem. I’m just a bit tired, that’s all. Guess the events of the last few days have caught up with me. You go enjoy yourself. I’m grateful for your support and help out here and you deserve a night off. Like I said, I need to update my father on things, and call Sanchez. Keep your phone on. I’ll call if anything happens.’
‘If you say so. Give my regards to Detective McGee if you speak to him.’
‘I won’t talk to that idiot. I’ll ask for Sanchez herself. He probably won’t want to speak to me either.’
‘No, he doesn’t seem to have taken to you, has he?’
‘Still living in the nineteenth century.’
‘I’ll see you in the morning, then,’ Ben said as he opened the front door. He made his way down to the car; as he got in a text message came through on his cell. It was from Craig: 4got 2 say if u do get lucky wiv waitress, ok 2 bring her bak here. Will be in bed, just keep noise down lol.
Ben laughed and sent a text back ok thanks. He started the car, and drove out of the apartment complex. Despite his friend’s reassurances, Ben felt puzzled: Craig had seemed unusually keen for Ben to go out alone tonight.
Chapter Thirty-Four
BEN ARRIVED AT the bar just after six-thirty. The parking lot was about two-thirds full; he could hear music coming from inside. Two girls and a man were standing in the entrance porch, each with a cigarette in their hand. Each of them looked Ben over as he walked inside.
Business seemed to be brisk, but it was nowhere near as busy as it had been previously. Shania Twain was playing over the loudspeakers, and two couples were dancing on the little dance floor. Only one of the three pool tables was in use, occupied by two men neither of whom Ben recognised. A few of the tables were in use, either with couples eating or just talking over a glass of beer. Only two men were sitting at the bar, so there was plenty of room for Ben. He sat down on one of the stools. After a minute or so, a barman walked over: Ben recognized him from their first visit as Harry.
‘What can I get ya?’ Harry asked. If he did remember Ben from their previous visit, he said nothing.
‘Just a bottle of Bud Ice,’ said Ben. ‘And you do food here, don’t you?’
‘Sure do,’ said Harry passing him a menu with his beer. Ben quickly scanned the menu, and ordered chicken and fries.
‘I’ll be at a table over there,’ he told Harry.
‘You got it,’ came the reply.
Ben wandered over to the nearest table, took a mouthful from his bottle and slowly sat down, looking around. There was nobody here he could recognise, except Harry: no Billy Loomis, no Jared Stevens or the other two, whoever they were. Nobody with a peculiar gait. Also, nobody answering to the description the mechanic had given of Stacey. No Corinne either: maybe it was her night off, or maybe she didn’t start this early. He felt disappointed she was not here tonight. Although the primary purpose of the visit was to locate Stacey, he was looking forward to seeing the little waitress again.
The chicken and fries arrived, brought over with a grunt of enjoy; just as Ben put a couple of fries into his mouth, he looked over again at the pool table. The two men he had seen before were still playing, but they were chatting to another figure. Corinne was dressed in a white top, short black skirt, and black leg-wear. Her dark hair was tied up, just as it was when he had seen her here before. She finished talking to the pool players, put some empty glasses on her tray and walked down the steps to the bar. Ben sat up excitedly and tried to catch her attention without waving; she got stopped by another customer on her way back to the bar, and it was while she was talking to this customer that she appeared to notice Ben. She froze momentarily, then returned to the conversation. Once it was finished she walked over to Ben’s table.
‘Hello, stranger,’ Ben said, pushing the chair opposite him out with his feet.
‘Oh my God,’ she said. ‘I didn’t think – well thank God you’re okay.’
‘Thank God you are okay,’ Ben said. ‘I assume you are. What happened to you? Where did you go?’
She tucked a wisp of hair behind her ear, and nervously looked at the bar. ‘Look, I can’t talk now.
Not here. Harry doesn’t like me spending too much time with one customer. I get a break at seven thirty, before it gets busy; only ten minutes, though. Meet you then, outside?’
‘Sure, seven-thirty, outside.’ Ben agreed.
Briefly glancing downwards, she smiled, and adjusting her hair again, backed away, and returned to the bar. Ben looked at his watch: it was almost seven, so not long to wait now.
*****
Back at the apartment, Craig yawned and stretched. He was tired and hungry. He fixed himself a sandwich and sat back on the sofa. Muting the TV, he picked up his phone to call his father to let him know what they had found so far. No sign of Adam yet, either way, but he felt he and Ben were making progress. Let’s hope Ben gets lucky in finding Stacey tonight. He dialled his parents’ number. It rang a dozen times before his father answered.
Just as he heard his father’s voice he noticed the time. It was seven thirty, and half past midnight at home. No wonder his father sounded sleepy. He apologized for the late hour, and told his father what had happened the last couple of days. His father listened carefully and told him that he had got an email from McGee saying that there was no news yet, and they were still treating it as an ongoing case.
They agreed that Craig would get back in contact in a couple of days, preferably at a more reasonable time. Craig confirmed that he and Ben had enough money to continue, said his goodbyes, and hung up.
‘McGee, you idiot,’ he muttered as he dialled the police number.
Lieutenant Sanchez, please,’ he said as an officer answered the phone.
‘Hold the line please,’ came the reply, and moments later: ‘Sir, the Lieutenant’s out of town at this time. I can get a message to her to call you back, or you can speak to Detective McGee, her partner.’
‘No, no, thanks,’ he said hastily. ‘I can wait. But if you can get a message to the Lieutenant, and ask her to call me when she gets back.’
The officer took Craig’s number, wished him a good evening, and ended the call. Craig stretched over to the table, picked up his laptop, and booted it up. He checked his own emails, then logged onto his brother’s account. Just as Adam’s Homepage came up, his phone bleeped with a text from Ben: Hope you having good evening, no sign of Stacey yet, Corinne on break soon, talk to her then.
He texted back a reply good luk cheers and turned his attention to his brother’s emails. Apart from a couple of spam items, there had been no activity since he had last checked. Checking Adam’s bank account and credit cards, there had been no transactions there, either. He logged off and took a bite from his sandwich. Just then his phone rang. It was an unlisted number.
‘Hello?’ he said, finishing off a mouthful of turkey sandwich.
‘Mr Williams? Craig?’ It was Lieutenant Sanchez.
‘Ah, Lieutenant, thanks for calling me back?’
‘What can I do for you? Not gotten yourselves into more trouble?’
‘No, I just wondered if you have charged Billy Loomis yet. With the assault.’
A brief moment of silence. ‘No, we haven’t charged him yet. We haven’t arrested him, either?’
‘You haven’t?’
‘He would appear to have left town suddenly.’
‘Left town?’
From the tone of her voice it was clear that Sanchez was not happy about answering questions, but carried on. ‘We visited him at his place of work and were told that he had not shown up that morning, so we went to his home, which was empty also.’
‘But you are still looking?’
> ‘Yes, Mr Williams, we are still looking for him. And for your brother. As soon as we have any news, you will be the first to know. I have told you that before.’
‘Yes you have. There’s one more thing, though…’
‘Yes, sir?’ She sounded weary.
‘We went to visit the bank where a withdrawal from my brother’s account took place.’
‘Did we know about this?’
‘Er, no; we haven’t filed a report yet.’
‘Jesus Christ, what next? Well maybe, you could do so as soon as possible. If the two of you can spare the time.’
‘Yes, we will do. Sorry.’
‘So what about this visit?’
‘Well, while we were there, we caught a whiff of one of the worker’s aftershave.’
‘Aftershave.’
‘Yes, aftershave. But it was the same aftershave that one of the assailants had on the night before.’
‘I see. Anything else?’
‘This guy was the same person at the bank who carried out the transaction.’
‘How much was the transaction for?’
‘Fifteen thousand dollars.’
‘Jeez! Don’t tell me you two did anything foolish at the bank.’
‘No, we spoke to the guy. He said he would tell us everything when he went to lunch; we waited, but he left through a back door.’
‘What was his name?’
‘Jared Stevens. Would he be a friend of Billy Loomis?’
‘No idea. Just come into tomorrow, and make a formal report.’
‘With you, or Detective McGee?’
He heard her chuckle. ‘Tom McGee is a good cop, if a bit – dogmatic at times. No, I’ll be back in town tomorrow. Don’t drink too much tonight, and come in tomorrow.’
‘How do you mean, don’t drink too much?’
‘At the bar. You’re there tonight, aren’t you?’
‘No, I’ve stayed in.’
A second’s silence. ‘You’re not at Shots, then?’
‘No,why?’
‘No reason, I just assumed you’d both be there.’
‘Ben is. I just felt like a night in.’
‘Well, there you go. Let’s hope he stays sober.’
‘All right, goodbye.’
‘Goodbye.’ She hung up.