by Julie Ramson
He hadn’t said a word. He was just looking at me with a closed expression. Speculating. Thinking. Hell’s bells. Now what had I said?
“Earth to Digs. Bedtime.” I stepped away. He still said nothing. I shook my head and went into the hallway where the closet was. I pulled out a sheet, blanket and spare pillow. I walked back and plopped them on the couch. “Here. Sleep well.”
Digs still had not said anything. He just watched me through narrowed eyes as I walked to the bedroom and opened the door. I willed myself not to turn around - and I didn’t. I closed the door, took a deep breath and grabbed an old ratty nightgown from the dresser. No temptation there! I pulled it over my head and climbed into bed.
I tossed. I turned. I planned my pitch to Sean and Jimmy to help. I planned my research into the murdered man in Cicero. Maybe I could ditch Digs and drive out to the Cicero Police Station tomorrow and get some information.
As I finally drifted off it occurred to me that Emily had never called me back.
CHAPTER SIX
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9
When I woke, the sunlight was streaming into the bedroom. The clock read 7:05 am and I could smell coffee. There might be some advantages to a couch mate. I swung my legs out much more easily that I had the day before. After I had finally fallen asleep, I had slept like the dead. Scratch that. I had slept well.
I went into the bathroom and looked in the mirror. I still looked like last week’s road kill. Bright blue and green skin around the eyes, punctuated by purple and red blotches. I pulled out the industrial strength concealer again. A little more success than yesterday. I did the whole Woman on a Mission thing. Clean dress pants, silk blouse, cashmere sweater. Curling iron in the hair. Full makeup and an extra layer of mascara and lip gloss. The better to work on Jimmy, I thought. Some people might say I was just using Jimmy. Yeah, well. When they’re right, they’re right. I added perfume.
Fully armed with the mascara and perfume, I sailed out into the kitchen. Digs was munching toast and sipping coffee. Make yourself at home, I thought. I grabbed a cup of coffee and sat down. I punched Emily’s number into my cell phone again. Voice mail again. Should I be concerned?
“Morning!” I gave Digs my best smile. He was leaning back against the sink. A devil in blue jeans, a black sweater and no shoes.
“Good morning to you too,” he said. “Dressed for something special?”
“Not really. I want to go see Sean. I have a few things I have remembered about last night.” I tried to sound casual. Digs’ head snapped up. “Oh, like what?” Voice serious.
“Nothing earth shattering but I want to talk to Sean. See if there is anything new.” I stood and rinsed my cup. “I’m just going to the station. No need for you to tag along. I won’t be long.” I turned to go.
“Not so fast, honey.” Digs put his cup in the sink. “I’ll be going along with you. I need to follow up with Sean, too.”
He was going to ruin everything! How could I flirt with Jimmy and con him into giving me the files on this case if the Tower of Glower was going to hover over us? I wanted the police files on Lily, on Bacci in Cicero and all the information he had on last night as well. I thought fast.
“Good idea. Why don’t I run Killer down for his morning stroll and wait for you?” Yeah, like I would. Killer and I would be in the car and out of the lot before Digs could blink.
Digs smiled. “Honey, I may have been born at night, but it wasn’t last night. I’ve already taken Killer out. I’ll get my shoes on and we’ll go together.” The man was Perma Glue.
“Digs, I’m ready and I’m going now. You can meet me there.” I made my voice sound exasperated and turned to the door. A big hand grabbed my arm, pulling me back.
“I said I will be ready in a minute. And you’re waiting for me.” Steel.
I rolled my eyes and pulled at my arm. “Stop the Neanderthal stuff, Digs,” I said in exasperation. “We’ve been over this. You don’t get to order me around! Believe it or not, I have functioned for years on my own! I am leaving now for the station. Deal with it.” I pulled again.
Digs just held on, pulling me into the living room. He slid into his shoes and picked up his jacket. “I'm ready.” He still had my arm. I wrenched it free and glared at him. God, I hate bossy men! I had to ditch him so I could flirt with Jimmy and get those police files!
He handed me my coat and eyed me. “All this fuss over a trip to the station. Makes me wonder what else you have planned.”
I gave him a sour look. “Suspicious bastard, aren’t you?”
“Only with you, Toots. Only with you.” He grinned and gestured me through the door.
We got to his car and I stopped. “Maybe I’ll just follow you in my car,” I said. There might be a chance I could ditch him and get to the police station ahead of him. I might even drive out to Cicero. Just to see what I could see. “I need to stop at the store for groceries on the way home.”
“No.”
“What do you mean, ‘no’,” I said, getting annoyed all over again. “I can drive.”
“I mean ‘no’. I don’t trust you, honey. You’re all dolled up for some reason and I can’t figure out what it is. But I will.” He opened the car door. I got in. When he turned his back I gave him the Irish finger. “I saw that!” he called. “Real mature.”
I rolled my eyes. Jerk.
We rode to the station in silence. I was trying to plan my strategy to get the files. Dig kept looking at me sideways, speculation in his eyes. Finally he said, “What is going on in that devious little mind of yours, sweetheart? If you think I am buying the store thing, think again. You may as well level with me.”
“Nothing. I told you. And I do need to go to the store.” I refused to look at him. If he didn’t give me some space I was going to wring his neck! And Sean’s! “Although if you don’t stop hovering over me I am moving to Seattle.” Digs just laughed.
We got to the station and I got out. I didn’t wait for Digs, just walked to the building. I ignored his calls and when he caught up with me, he grabbed my arm.
“Maggie, this is stupid. You have been attacked and someone got into your apartment! Remember last night? How scared you were?” He was exasperated and gave my arm a shake.
Oh, I remembered. And I planned to do something about it. I shook off his arm and groaned. “Yes, I remember. Happy, now?”
I walked in and saw a young African American cop sitting at the desk. “Is Detective Flaherty in?” I gave my best smile which wasn’t that great in a face that was purple and green and covered in concealer. “Yes,” he said and picked up the phone. “Who should I say is here?”
“His loving sister,” I replied, turning on my full watt smile. The young office blushed. He looked about 15 years old.
“Detective Flaherty, your sister is here,” he said into the phone. He listened for a minute, then hung up. Smiling, he said, “He’s coming right down. Please have a seat. Can I get you anything? Coffee? A coke?” Digs just leaned against the wall where the chairs were, arms crossed, watching me. His blond hair fell across his forehead. He had a small, speculating smile on his face. I sat down, several chairs away from him.
In a few minutes, Jimmy came striding in and sat down next to me. He put his arm around my shoulder and I leaned in. “Mag, how are you this morning?”
“Jimmy, I don’t know.” I managed to get tears in my eyes. “I need to talk to you and Sean for a few minutes. I’ve remembered some things I hadn’t told you. And, I guess I just ....wanted to see you.” Jimmy reached up and gently cupped my cheek. “That’s fine, Maggie. We always have time for you.”
He got up and pulled me to my feet. Putting his arm around my shoulders he noticed Digs. “Hi, Digs,” he said rather stiffly. Digs nodded and fell in behind us. Jimmy started to say something and then just shrugged.
We climbed the stairs to the second floor and Jimmy led us to a small conference room. It smelled of old cigarette smoke and stale coffee. The walls were a dirty gr
een and the floor had linoleum that had not seen the light of day - or a mop - for years. It was yellowed and cracked. The room itself was small and had a hopeless air about it. Part of the police station had been remodeled last year but clearly this room had not been part of that facelift.
“Just have a seat and wait here, Maggie. Sean and I will be right in.” Jimmy cupped my cheek then gave me a hug.
Digs sat in the chair next to me. He pushed it back and balanced on two legs. He lifted one eyebrow and chuckled. “Nice job, Mag. What the hell are you after?”
“Nothing,” I glared at him. “I just want to help.”
“Oh, shit.” Digs rolled his eyes and slammed his chair back down – hard. Then he leaned toward me. “If you think for one minute that Sean - or Jimmy - or I, for that matter, will let you have a role in investigating this case, well - you’re nuts. I should have known.” He sat back and threw up his hands. “The silk shirt, the makeup! Of course! You plan to flirt with Jimmy and worm your way into this case. Of course!” He smacked his forehead.
“Stop that! I am not forcing or worming my way into anything! It happens that I have talents you know nothing about! I excel at research! I can help with this!” My voice was getting louder and higher in pitch. “If you think I can just sit back like some fragile, helpless female and let the big, strong men do all the work then you’re the one who’s nuts!” I sat back.
At that moment, Sean and Jimmy walked in. Sean narrowed his eyes and looked back and forth between Digs and me, clearly sensing the tension. “Maggie! Jimmy says you remember something else about last night!”
I shifted a little in my seat. I didn’t exactly remember anything new but I needed a reason to be here. But I didn’t want to give them any false clues either. I got a sad look on my face and looked up at Sean. He sat down next to me and said,
“Okay, honey, take your time. What do you remember?”
I took a deep breath. Then a sudden thought did occur to me. I went still. “Sean, I can’t get Emily to call me back. I’ve left several messages on her cell phone.” That was true and it suddenly chilled me. I hadn’t been able to reach Emily since she left my office and Digs had said they hadn’t seen her since then either. I grabbed Sean’s arm.
“Sean, I had left a paper with her phone number and address on the dining room table. Remember? I called you back with them before I went to Mary Grace’s. I don’t think the paper was still there when we got home and I didn’t realize that until just now.”
Now I was worried. And scared. Could the man who broke in last night have seen that paper? Taken it with him? Was Emily in danger? I looked at Sean with some panic in my eyes and it was real. “Oh god, Sean!”
Sean and Jimmy and Digs all exchanged looks. Not good.
I clutched Sean’s arm more tightly. “Sean, I’m good at research - you know that! I want to do something to help! Emily could be missing! I can’t just sit back - you know me. You know I can’t do that! Please let me do some research on Emily, Lily - even the murdered guy in Cicero! Please Sean! Jimmy, please! I need to do something!” Now I was really scared that I had put Emily into danger. I did want to help. We had to find Emily and do it fast.
Sean thought for a few minutes. “Okay, Maggie. You can do some computer research but that’s all. You can’t go off looking for things on your own and you can’t take any more chances. I mean that, Maggie!” He gave me a stern look, all cop.
“Oh, Sean, I won’t! But first I want to see the files on Mrs. Hastings’ murder and the guy in Cicero. Then I can decide what needs to be researched first.”
Sean groaned. “The files? Already pushing, Maggie?” He looked at Jimmy. “I can show you the police reports but that’s all. Only our reports. I also want you to know what we have learned since last night.”
I froze. I did want to know what he had found out about the heart. Probably. Maybe. I wasn’t sure.
“The heart belonged to a large raccoon. Freshly killed. The knife is a common hunting knife, sold at dozens of stores in Chicago. You were right. No fingerprints on the knife or the note. The letters looked like they were cut out of yesterday’s Chicago Tribune.” Sean watched my face. I tried to make it neutral. I didn’t want to think about last night.
“Okay.” I couldn’t help but shudder. Focus, Mag, focus. “Well, then, let’s move on. I need to see the files on the murders.”
“Maggie, did you hear what I said? Someone killed a large raccoon and cut the heart out. Left it on your table.” Sean was frowning.
“Yes, I heard you. But you don’t have any clues so what’s the point in going over it again?” I was not going to think about last night or I would never be able to move again. Thinking about it chilled me to the bone.
“Let me get started on the files and the research. Give me the files, better yet make copies and I will take them home. Then I’ll start taking notes on areas to research.”
Digs had been remarkably quiet. He sat down next to me at the table and crossed his arms. He and Sean exchanged looks. Damn. I had the feeling that Sean and Digs had just silently decided there was no way I was going to be on my own. I had to get those files and then I wanted to go back to Lily’s house. Maybe visit the rooming house in Cicero too.
Sean nodded to Jimmy and he left the room to make the copies. There was a silence while Sean and Digs did that eyeball communication thing again. Men!
Digs broke the silence. “You know, Sean, Maggie tells me that I don’t have any finesse with women. She says she’s had experience with a lot of men..... and she’s willing to share some of her vast expertise with me. Maybe help me out so I can find a woman of my own someday.” He cocked an eyebrow. “Damn generous of her, don’t you think?”
Sean just stared at him. He looked at me, then put his head back and laughed out loud. In fact, he laughed until the tears started coming down his cheeks. He wiped his eyes. “Maggie! Many men! God, Digs, I haven’t had a laugh like that in a long time! Oh, god, Maggie!” He started laughing again.
I gritted my teeth. I knew that they were just baiting me to relieve some of the tension but it really ticked me off. “Sean,” I said sweetly, “go to hell. There are many things you may think you know about me but many more things you don’t.” I got up and patted each of them on the top of their heads. “You boys just keep laughing. I am going to the bathroom.”
Sean stuck his arm out and stopped me. “I’ll go along. The men’s room is right next door.”
“Oh for god’s sake, Sean! Nothing can happen to me in the police station! I don’t even have the files yet! Get a grip you idiot!” I stalked out and went down the hall. I had to get away from both of them. I knew they were trying to help but I wanted to strangle them both.
By the time I got back to the conference room I had better control over myself and the table had several files on it. Good. Sean and Digs stopped talking the instant I walked in. Good grief! Overbearing, damn men! I sat down and opened the first file. Sean spoke up. “You don’t need to read these here, Mag. They’re copies. You can take them home.”
“Great.” I stood. Eyed them both. “Digs, I am going home now. Why don’t you give me the keys and you and Sean can finish your fascinating conversation about my flaws.” I held my hand out.
“Now, honey, don’t get all in a bundle. We were just teasing you.” Digs got up.
“Yes, I know Digs. Being male, you just can’t help but wonder about the sex life of every woman you meet. But really,” again I smiled sweetly, “don’t worry about mine. It will never affect your life in any way.”
He was trying hard not to laugh. He got up, reached in his pocket for the keys and said, “Ouch. Okay. Home.” He didn't hand them to me though.
Sean left the room with us but turned right and went up the stairs to his office. Digs and I both walked outside to the street. I followed him to the driver’s side of the car. I put the files in the back seat and said, “I would like to drive. I need to stop at the grocery store and I know the way
.” I put out my hand. He eyed me, then shrugged and gave me the keys. I got in the car on the driver’s side. Before he had time to walk around to the passenger side, I started the engine and roared out of the parking spot, leaving him on the curb. I waved to him in the rearview mirror.
Freedom!
First, I was going to go back to Lily’s. I parked in front of the house and again walked up on the porch. I stood studying the window again.
Mrs. O’Brien came out of her house. “Maggie! How nice to see you again. I hope you have time for a nice cup of tea?” She seemed so hopeful.
“I would love one, Mrs. O’Brien. We went into her house together. It was every bit as hot there as it had been before. I followed her into the kitchen and sat down. She filled the kettle with water and lit the stove while I sat at the kitchen table.
“I’ve baked some more cookies. I love the smell of fresh cookies on these cold, dark days. Sugar and oatmeal raisin.” She bustled around getting the water and tea bags out.
Nirvana! She put a plate of cookies in front of me and I dug in. I had skipped breakfast but even if I had just finished a full nine course meal I would find room for homemade, warm, fresh from the oven cookies. They were perfect.
“Mrs. O’Brien, these are amazing!” I picked up another. “Have you seen or heard from Emily? I have tried calling her but I only get voice mail and she hasn’t returned my calls.”
“Why no, dear. I haven’t. But then, with Lily gone, she hasn’t really been around much.”
“If you do, could you please ask her to call me?” I asked. Where was she? I was really worried. We chatted a bit and Mrs. O’Brien told me that she was leaving in two days to go visit her daughter in San Diego. Her daughter, Jennifer, was married and had three daughters. Mrs. O’Brien was going to help celebrate her daughter’s fortieth birthday and oh, my, where did the time go, she couldn’t believe her daughter was forty! She could remember when she herself turned 40 and her daughter was born and on and on. Finally, I had to take my leave.