“I warned him about trusting Pippen Hill trash,” retorted Mr. Piper.
Before I knew it, I had the little man up against the wall. “I’m from Pippen Hill, do you think I’m Pippen Hill trash?”
“N-N-No,” stammered a surprised Mr. Piper. I smiled then released him. I straighten his crumpled jacket and adjusted his glasses on his narrow face.
"She's right you are not as smart as you appear," I said. "For five years she was able to take money without you even knowing. If I were you, I would start looking for another job. It is my understanding Emperor don't like failures."
We left the office and boarded the elevator with the apprehension team members.
“Thanks,” said Lucy as she stood in the middle of us. I nodded. Although she was a criminal, I wouldn’t let someone like Piper talk bad about anyone from Pippen Hill. There were still a lot of good hardworking, honest, people in Pippen Hill.
"Is there another reason for embarrassing Emperor?" I asked.
"It is my understanding that after I've been read my Miranda rights, you can't continue to question me," said Lucy.
I smiled and said, "You're right."
"However, if you must know I did this all for my brother," said Lucy.
"For your brother?" inquired Dick.
"Emperor designed a black t-shirt with the letter E stitched in gold," said Lucy. "All of the kids wanted that t-shirt. My brother worked two jobs in the summer to buy a $500 t-shirt. He wore that shirt once. On his way home from basketball practice, he was brutally beaten to death for it. So I blamed Emperor for his death and vowed to pay him back."
"Well, it looks as if you achieved your life's goal," I said.
"I have," said Lucy with a huge smile.
The elevator stopped and the doors dinged open to a lobby full of reporters. As usual, Margery Daw was in front.
Dick quickly ordered the apprehension team into position. "Make an alley for us!"
The eight apprehension team members quickly got into position. They struggled to keep back the squawking reporters as we led her through the lobby. Nimble and I walked in front of Lucy while Dick walked behind her.
"How did they know we would be here?" asked Nimble as he pushed a reporter.
Looking at the kid, "The Fatman told them."
We finally got Lucy out of the building where more reporters and cameras waited. The apprehension team got in front of us, making a path to the waiting prisoner transport.
The doors of the transport slid open. Just as an apprehension team member and Nimble were helping Lucy into the carrier, her head snapped to the right. "Fuck!" shouted the apprehension team member.
Lucy went limped and crashed to the ground. "I'm hit!" shouted Nimble, clutching at his shoulder.
Dick and I immediately pulled our service weapons and pointed them in the direction of the shot. Everything had gone sideways in the blink of an eye.
We had a dead suspect and a cop with a bullet in his shoulder. We all would be on the six o'clock news.
Chapter 31
Dick and I stood outside of the surgical suite of Shoreditch Hospital waiting for news on the progress of Nimble's surgery. The same bullet which killed Lucy Locket struck Nimble in the shoulder.
In an upper corner of the surgery waiting room, the shooting of Lucy Locket and Detective Jack B. Nimble played on the news.
"I can't believe they're showing this on TV," said Dick angrily.
"This is Goose City my friend," I said.
Then the programming switch to the Chief Fitzwarren giving a press conference.
"At this time, we haven't located a suspect in the shooting of Lucy Locket and Detective Jack Nimble," said Chief Fitzwarren. "Ms. Locket, at the time of the shooting was being arrested for the murders of Fred Smyth and Dick Redcap." I located the remote and turned off the TV.
Dick flopped down in a chair and said, "This was a setup."
"What are you saying?" I asked. I sat across from Dick and slowly rotated my neck.
"I'm saying he had her killed," said Dick. "He was the only one who knew we would be arresting her."
“Why?" I asked. "She was in custody. The evidence against her was too strong. The next twenty years of her life would have been in Green Gravel."
“She humiliated him,” said Dick. “He couldn’t let that go unpunished.”
“What evidence do we have?” I asked. “If we go making accusations against him without any hard evidence, our lives will become a living hell.”
"Are you scared?" asked Dick.
"No," I said adamantly.
“Then what are we going to do?” asked Dick.
“We wait patiently,” I said. “People like Emperor will get careless.”
“What if he doesn’t?” Dick asked with frustration in his voice.
“I don’t know," I said exhaling deeply. "Just don't do anything rash."
"Sure," said Dick as he looked at his watch. "What's taking so long?"
"It's surgery," I said, sighing heavily. I rotated my neck some more.
Bookworm and Jenny Wren walked into the waiting area. They both appeared tired.
“I saw what happened,” said Jenny. “I can't believe they have been showing it on the news.”
Bookworm nodded in agreement and said, "It's the rich showing people what will happen when you fuck with them."
Jenny and I looked at Bookworm. "Did you just curse?" Jenny asked.
Bookworm smiled then asked, "How's the surgery going?"
"We don't know," Dick said. "No one hasn't said a word since the surgery started."
Then Jenny removed a photo from a manila folder. “Do you know her?”
Both Dick and I looked at the photo of a very attractive, dark haired female. Then Dick said, "It's the female from the charity event."
Looking at the picture a little more closely, I said, "She was one of the girls leaving the charity event with Bobby Shaftoe."
"Why do you have her photo?" Dick asked.
“Her name is Elsie Marley. She's the girl who was found on the rocks near the Banbury Cross yacht club," said Bookworm. "According to toxicology reports, she overdosed on Mist."
"However, we are not ruling out murder," said Jenny. "She had ligature marks around her neck, wrists, and ankles."
“So you think this might have something to do with the Pippen Hill murders?” I asked as I continued looking at the photo.
“It doesn’t fit the profile of the Pippen Hill killer,” responded Bookworm. “Every Pippen Hill victim was a prostitute, this victim is a world class model.”
"When was she with Bobby Shaftoe?" Jenny asked.
"Tuesday night," I replied. "Dick and Shaftoe had a minor altercation. A blond female was also with them."
"You are brave," said Jenny giving Dick a thumbs up. "A lot of people would have backed away from Bobby Shaftoe."
Then Bookworm added, "I see us questioning Bobby Shaftoe in our immediate future."
"Not today," said Jenny. "We're actually here to see if these guys need a break."
"Sure," I said. "I have to go to Exeter to pick up a suspect."
"Go," said Jenny. "Take Dick with you."
Getting up I gave Jenny a hug and said, "Call us once you know something."
"Sure thing," said Jenny.
We left Jenny and Bookworm in the surgery waiting room.
The sun was slowly setting over Goose City. The sky was painted in ribbons of deep purple and orange. Darkness was coming and so were more bad things.
As we left the parking lot, I said, "I have to check on my mother."
Chapter 32
The black luxury sedan slowed and pulled next to the curb of the Carrion bar. A group of scantily dressed women slowly pranced up and down the street.
The driver lowered the passenger side window. “Excuse me girls, who want to party?”
A tall woman wearing a red wig leaned down and said, “Sorry honey, I don’t get down like that.”
The blon
de female driver said with a smile, “I’ll make it worth your time hon.”
"Like I said honey, I don't eat tacos. I'm on a strict sausage diet," said the female wearing the red wig.
A young dark haired woman wearing a black dress leaned down and said, “I’ll take your offer. How much are we talking about?”
“We’ll discuss that on the way to the party,” said the blonde female driver. She leaned over and opened the passenger side door. The dark haired young woman got inside.
"What's your name?" the blonde female driver asked.
"Mary," responded the dark-haired woman.
After the exchange of pleasantries, the black luxury sedan sped off into the darkness.
After navigating the back streets of Pippen Hill, the driver drove into the upscale neighborhood of St. Ives with extravagant homes, expensive shops and boutiques and cobblestone streets.
“These are damn nice houses,” said Mary. The blonde female smiled then reached into the center console and removed a glass and metal pipe filled with green crystals. “A little something to get the party started.”
Taking the pipe, Mary inhaled as she lit the green crystals. “This is some good shit,” said Mary before inhaling again. She passed the pipe to the blonde driver who rejected it. “All for you dear. There’s more in the console.”
Mary finished the green crystals then refilled the pipe. “You got the good Mist. By the way, what's your name?”
“Nancy and when you’re rich, you get the best of everything,” said Nancy as she pulled up to a fifteen feet tall wrought iron gate. Lowering her window, she punched in a four number code on a keypad. The gate slowly creaked open. White gravel crunched under the tires as she slowly drove up to the picturesque mansion.
“Who lives here?” asked Mary as she gawked at the mansion.
“The best night of your life lives here,” responded Nancy as she brought the car to a halt.
After killing the engine, Nancy and Mary got out of the car and headed into the house. In the foyer, Mary said, “This is unbelievable!”
The interior was something Mary may have seen on television or in a magazine. Never in her life did she imagine she would be standing in such a house. Looking at a vase on a stand, she said, “This probably cost more than I make in a year.”
Laughing, Nancy said, “Actually it would take you three years of laying on your back and sucking dick to pay for that.” Mary moved away from the vase.
Nancy led Mary through the house, pointing out several expensive pieces of art on their way to a large sitting room. “Want something to drink?” Nancy asked as she walked to a bar.
“Do you know how to make a Clever Hen?” asked Mary as she sat on an expensive sofa. “I don’t know what that is, but here is a glass of Red Sky with ice,” said Nancy as she handed Mary the glass.
Mary took a sip and asked, “Do you have more Mist?”
Before Nancy could answer, a blonde male in a black silk robe strode in and asked, “Who are you?”
“I’m Mary. Mary Grey,” replied Mary. He sat next to Mary and said, “How rude of you Nancy of not announcing our guest.”
Nancy looked at the blonde man and said, “Please forgive me, Bobby.”
Bobby twirled a lock of Mary’s hair with his index finger before going to the bar and standing next to Nancy. He poured himself a glass of Red Sky and gulped. He reached under the bar and removed a pipe and a packet of green crystals. He quickly filled the pipe and lit the green crystals. He inhaled and his eyes rolled back. “That is some good shit.”
He passed the pipe to Nancy who followed suit. Reaching under the bar again, Bobby removed a bottle of Caesar’s Song beer. Walking from behind the bar, he opened his robe, exposing himself to Mary.
She blushed then said, “I really love your house.”
He flopped down next to Mary and placed a hand on her thigh. Soon he was slowly moving his hand up into her crotch. He then leaned over and kiss her on her neck.
“Before we get started, there’s the matter of a fee,” said Mary.
“How rude of me,” Bobby said. Reaching into a robe pocket, he removed a wad of cash. "I think this should cover everything."
Mary stood and stripped down to her underwear. "Do you like what you see?"
Smiling, Bobby replied, "I love what I see."
Nancy came over and handed Mary a pipe full of Mist. Lighting the pipe, Mary inhaled deeply. She giggled. Bobby stood and began fondling Mary's breast. Nancy quickly undressed and joined the make-out session.
After a few minutes of fooling around, Bobby said, “The real party is downstairs.”
Taking Mary by the hand, Nancy led her out of the room. “You’re going to have the greatest night of your life.”
Bobby Shaftoe howled loudly. "It will be unforgettable."
Chapter 33
I gave my mother a peck on the cheek after she opened the door. “How are you doing?" she asked. "I saw what happened."
“I'm okay,” I said. “By the way, this is Dick Whittington, my partner.”
My mother gave Dick a hug and said, "I’ve heard so much about you. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you."
"Likewise," said Dick.
Grabbing us by the arms, my mother said, “Well you can tell me all about it over apple pie, ice cream, and coffee.”
Dick and I sat at the table while my mother prepared coffee, sliced pie and scooped ice cream.
"Where's Buzzy?" I asked.
"Upstairs sleep in your old room," replied my mother.
After serving us, she sat next to me. “So you want to talk?”
“Dick believes that Henry Emperor had Lucy Locket murdered,” I said. My mother raised an eyebrow.
"I believe that he did it because she embarrassed him," added Dick. "It's the only logical explanation."
“What do you believe Jackson?” asked my mother.
"I agree with Dick, but we don't have any hard evidence," I said.
“And if you go and make accusations against someone like Henry Emperor, then you may end up like Lucy," said my mother.
I smiled then said, "I don't know about that. I was thinking more in lines of being shamed and chased out of Goose City."
"I think you both are right," said Mother Hubbard. "So, are you going to let him get away with murder?"
"I'm not," said Dick. "Not as long as the blood runs warm through my veins."
My mother smiled at Dick then asked, "What about you Jackson?"
"No," I said. "I just think we shouldn't rush into the situation. We wait until he makes a mistake."
"What if he doesn't?" asked my mother before taking a sip of coffee.
"Then we take him down the hard way," I said with a smile. "By the way, I spoke to an old friend of yours."
"I have a lot of old friends," said my mother. "Which one?"
"Billy St. Martin," I replied.
My mother smiled then excitedly said, "Bandy Legs! Where did you see Bandy Legs?"
"In the downstairs file room," I said.
"Is he still at GCPD?" my mother confusingly asked.
"Apparently so," I replied.
"So Fitzwarren didn't get rid of all of us," said my mother solemnly.
"Who's Bandy Legs?" Dick asked.
Before my mother could respond, the doorbell chimed. It was immediately followed by a yapping Buzzy bounding down the stairs.
"I wonder who that could be?" my mother asked aloud. Getting up, she went to the door. "Calm down Buzzy."
Dick and I quickly finished our pie and ice cream soup. I heard the door open followed by a male's voice. Then I heard my mother say, "Never." She sounded distressed.
Not liking the sound of my mother's voice, I made my way to the door. Standing in the doorway was a rather large man dressed in a black suit. I'm six feet two and weigh two hundred twenty pounds. This guy outweighed me by sixty pounds and stood eight inches taller. Dark eyes set deep in his pale square face.
“Is there a prob
lem?” I asked. Upon hearing me ask the question, Dick was standing by my side.
“Yes,” said the man in a monotone voice. “The lady is refusing to sell. I’ve come here to make one finally offer before my superiors decide to…”
“Decide to do what?” I asked angrily.
In the same monotone voice, he replied, “Before they resort to other methods."
"Did your superiors resort to other methods in Nanny Etticoat's case?” my mother asked.
"Yes,” responded the man. His face was expressionless. It was as if he were unfeeling.
“Are you threatening my mother?” I asked as I stepped in front of her.
I quickly flashed my badge. The man slowly put up his hands up and stepped back. He then broke the number one cardinal rule. He reached into his jacket.
Goose City Page 11