The drive back seemed twice as long. Cole didn’t turn on the radio. He replayed the time with Erin over and over in his head. He played the I-should-have-said game until he finally yelled, “I give up!”
Back at his motel, he showered and changed clothes. As he sat on the bed to tie his shoes, his cell phone rang. The number belonged to Tom Harris in Chicago.
“Cole, I found you some new friends.”
“What have you got?”
“Talked to a detective named Mark Wilson. He’s your man out there if you need help. His first choice is named Perez, Anthony Perez, street name Whisper. Dope, cars, small-time fence for stolen goods. Vato malo. Hangs out at a bar called La Perla. Rough place, be real careful, Wilson says.
“Number two is a guy named Terrell Le’ney Jefferson, AKA Tree Top. No criminal record, but Wilson says he’s into everything but drugs. If it will turn a buck, he’s in. Drives a green and orange Acura with lots of flashy stuff on it. Likes to park on Filbert and watch the world go buy. Lots of flash and cash. A lover not a fighter but has some muscle behind him. “
“Whisper and Tree Top, got it.”
“Hey, you find the girl?”
“Yeah. Ellie’s a grandma. Doesn’t know it. Tom, you wouldn’t believe how much she looks like her mother. Took me way back. She’s a nurse like you said, like Ellie wanted to be. Married to a doctor. I couldn’t get her to come back though. Lots of anger. I don’t know how I’ll tell Ellie.”
“Tell her the truth, Cole. It will hurt, but it’s the only way.”
“I guess.”
“Hey, I got a call. When will you be back?”
“I don’t know. Be in touch, thanks.”
“Later.”
Cole stood and went to the window. A strong breeze came up and the curtains flapped hard. The trees in the parking lot swayed and the flag above snapped. He watched a Burger King cup roll and bounce across the pavement. Reaching in his pocket, he counted his money: six twenties, three tens, two fives and seven singles. The alarm on the nightstand flipped over to 4:30.
Diamonds and Cole: Cole Sage Mystery #1 Page 15