Life is for the Living

by S. C. Stokes

  "Sounds like a plan." Kasey followed Bishop into the staircase.

  They were in the same state of disrepair as the rest of the apartment building. Worn concrete steps had been painted several times, none of them recently. Chips in the paint revealed the different layers of color, the latest being a dull gray.

  Kasey followed Bishop upstairs and onto the second-floor landing. Bishop opened the door to the hall. No one was in sight.

  Kasey pointed to the left at the black apartment numbers that were peeling off the wall. "Bishop, 204 will be this way."

  Bishop nodded and led the way. It was only three doors down on the left. Bishop rested one hand on her weapon, and then pounded on the door with the other.

  “Benjamin Glassen,” Bishop called through the door. “It's the NYPD. We have a few questions."

  Nothing but silence greeted them.

  Bishop knocked again. “Benjamin, we need to have a word with you."

  There were a series of muffled footsteps inside the apartment.

  "Coming," a weary voice answered.

  The door swung open revealing a bleary eyed, disheveled man in his twenties. The apartment mirrored its tenant, clothes were scattered about the room and takeout from at least two different stores were resting on the coffee table.

  The young man had a deep olive complexion and was wearing jeans and a black T-shirt that bore the logo of a rock band that Kasey didn’t recognize. In spite of the change of clothes Kasey knew they had found their man. The pretentious goatee was unmistakable.

  "What can I do for you, officers?"

  "That's him. I'd remember him anywhere,” Kasey stated.

  "Wait, what the…?" the man answered raising both arms.

  Bishop grabbed him by the wrist. "Benjamin Glassen, you're under arrest. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say or do can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford one, one will be provided for you. Do you understand your rights?"

  Bishop twisted his arm as she spoke, turning him against the apartment’s wall. Lifting her cuffs from her belt, she clasped them around his wrists.

  "W-wait? Under arrest, for what?" Ben protested.

  "The shooting of Cyrus Pillar. Eyewitnesses saw you shoot him during the robbery last night."

  “Well, your witnesses are liars. I didn't shoot anyone, and I don't even own a gun."

  "Doesn't mean you couldn't have gotten one from somewhere else," Kasey asserted.

  Ben shook his head. "Why would I need one? You mentioned a robbery. I don't know anything about a robbery."

  "The robbery at the Met. You know the one that left twenty-two people dead including the man you shot. Don't worry, I’m sure the ride back to the station will jog your memory a little."

  Ben tried to gesture with his arms, but the cuffs prevented him from lifting them. "Wait a minute, wait. You said the Met? Someone tried to rob the gala? It seems like I picked the right night to skip work. I wasn't even there, and I can prove it."

  Kasey looked at Bishop and shook her head.

  Ben saw the gesture and pushed on. “I said I can prove it. I was downstairs in the bar for most of the night. I have dozens of witnesses."

  "You mean dozens of friends who are ready to lie for you?" Kasey interrupted. "You see, Ben, I was at the gala. I saw you shoot Cyrus and when I tried to chase you down, you took a shot at me, as well. You really think I would forget something like that?"

  Ben studied Kasey. "Look, I don't know what you're talking about. I wasn't at the gala and I sure as hell didn't shoot anyone. Not this Cyrus fellow and I certainly didn't try to shoot you. I am sure I would remember that.”

  Kasey narrowed her eyes at him.

  “I'm telling you, you have the wrong man. I was in the bar for half the night. All you have to do is talk to Carl at the bar. He'll back up my story. I skipped work. I always hated working the gala. That crowd has too much money and not enough manners. I was drinking with Carl and I decided to blow off work. I don't know what you saw, but it wasn't me, because I wasn't there.”

  Bishop turned to Kasey. "Look, I'm not doubting you, but the bar is just downstairs. May as well check it out while we're here. It will save us having to make a trip back.”

  "Fine, let's see what this Carl character has to say about your story."

  Bishop grabbed Ben by the arm and began pushing him out the door.

  Ben stopped and dug in his heels. “Hey, officer, would you mind grabbing my wallet and keys off the shelf over? there. I don't want to be locked out when I get home”

  He cocked his head to the left, motioning at a shelf.

  Kasey spotted a wallet and a set of keys sitting in an otherwise empty fruit bowl. "I've got it, Bishop.” She made her way over to the bowl and snatched up the wallet and the keys. "Anything else, Ben? Want us to grab a packed lunch for you?"

  “Is that an option?” Ben smirked.

  "Afraid not," Bishop replied, steering him into the hall.

  Kasey followed her out of the apartment and shut the door. With the lifts being at the opposite end of the hall, Kasey opted for the stairs.

  They made their way down the stair well and into the lobby of the building. Soon they were on the street, pedestrians parting out their way.

  Together the three headed for the door of the Cracked Keg. The large weather beaten timber door was shut. Kasey pulled on the handle, but it was locked.

  "Seems like you are fresh out of luck, Ben. You can take a ride down to the station with us, until we can find someone to corroborate your story."

  "Don't mind the lock," Ben replied. “Carl practically lives here. Just bang on the door."

  Kasey sighed, then knocked on the heavy door.

  "Hey, Carl,” Ben called. “It's me, Ben. I need a hand."

  There was a loud click as the door’s deadbolt opened. The heavy door swung inward revealing a sandy haired man standing in the doorway.

  “Ben, it's barely 2pm. You need to get a life, man." It took Carl a moment to realize Ben was handcuffed. "Hey, what's going on?"

  "Hey, Carl, sorry to bother you. I just need you to explain to these good officers that I was here in the bar with you last night. I skipped work, but they don’t seem to believe me. They think I shot some guy…”

  Bishop interrupted Ben’s rambling. “Hi, Carl, I’m Detective Bishop from the Ninth Precinct. Ben, here, assures us he was here drinking until late last night. Did you see him last night?”

  Carl sighed. “I see him most nights, detective, but yes, I saw him last night. He probably left around nine. He wasn’t alone.

  “Oh?” Bishop asked. “Who was he with?”

  “A new girl. I’ve never seen her before. Red head with a bit of an attitude. The two were drinking at the bar for a while before they left together around nine.”

  Bishop turned on Ben. “Why didn’t you mention your friend before?”

  “A gentleman doesn’t kiss and tell, detective. I thought Carl’s word would be sufficient.”

  “It’s not,” Bishop replied. “Keep talking. Who was the woman?”

  Ben looked down at his feet. “Look, I don’t know a whole lot about her, to be honest. I came in to grab a drink before work. Spotted her at the bar and had to say hi. She was a stunner, redhead with…well, let’s say she had a killer”—Ben looked from Bishop to Kasey and back— “personality.”

  “Nice save,” Carl chimed in.

  “Not even close,” Kasey said, “but keep talking.”

  “Well, I bought her a drink and we hit it off. It was time to head off for work, but things were going so well that I decided to blow off work and take my chances with our fiery-haired friend.”

  “And?” Bishop probed.

  Ben flushed a little. “Well, detective, after that we blew the bar and things…well, it was a great night.”

  “Where did you go?” Kasey asked.

  “Upstairs,” Ben replied.

  “You
took a woman home to that mess?” Bishop asked, her face twisted into a pained look.

  “No, that’s the best part. Turns out she lives just upstairs, moved in last week. Skipping work last night was the best decision I’ve made all year.”

  “I saw you there. You can’t lie to me,” Kasey said.

  Ben’s face was flushed. “I’m not lying. I don’t know who you saw but it wasn’t me. You heard Carl, I was here.”

  “Your boss didn’t think so,” Bishop replied. “From the tone of your boss’s voice, I’d say he’d have fired you for skipping work.”

  Ben shrugged. “No great loss. I can get another job if I have to.”

  “Did this redhead have a name?” Bishop asked.

  “Yep, sure did, Skyler,” Ben answered.

  “And you say she lives upstairs?”

  “Sure does. Fourth floor.”

  “Great. Take us there,” Kasey said.

  “You have to be kidding!” Ben shook his head. “I’m not going there like this. What sort of message would that send? I mean, I want to see her again, but this isn’t what I had in mind.”

  “Well, she’s your alibi for the robbery. Carl might have seen you leave together, but if she’s your alibi, we are going to need a statement from her, as well. These are murder charges, not misdemeanors.”

  Ben was not impressed. “Fine, but I’m telling you, I had nothing to do with that. I didn’t go within ten miles of the museum and Skyler will vouch for that.”

  “Let's hope so, Ben, and if she does, you are a free man. We won't even drag you down to the station," Bishop stated.

  Kasey shot Bishop a wide-eyed look.

  Bishop simply shrugged. "Two people independently corroborating his alibi, Kasey. He'll be a free man. On the other hand, if Skyler’s story doesn't match Carl's, you'll be taking a ride with us."

  "Fine. Let's get this over with. She's upstairs, room 406."

  "Thanks for your time, Carl. We appreciate it," Bishop said over her shoulder, as she steered Ben back into the building.

  With Ben between them, Kasey hurried with Bishop through the lobby. Bishop looked toward the stairs.

  "Oh, come on," Ben said. "You two may like the stairs, but they put in the elevators for a reason. Cut me a break."

  "Quit your whining," Kasey said as they guided him down the hallway toward the two elevators.

  They stopped in front of them, and Kasey pressed the call button. The left-hand elevator lit up.

  The lights on the floor display steadily wound down and soon the elevator doors parted. Kasey stepped onto the elevator, followed by Bishop with Ben. As the doors closed, Kasey had the same familiar sense of déjà vu she had experienced earlier. Shaking it off, she focused on the matter at hand. She pressed the button for the fourth floor, then stepped back against the worn aluminum wall of the elevator.

  The trip to the fourth floor only took a few moments and soon the elevator doors parted, revealing a long corridor furnished exactly like the one in the lobby. Apartments lined both sides of the hall.

  A steady stream of foot traffic had worn a furrow down the center of the carpet. It was the same faded forest green that had been used downstairs.

  Kasey led the way to room 406, Bishop with Ben right behind her.

  “Well, what are you waiting for?” Bishop asked. “Let's hope she's home.”

  "Oh, it's not that,” Ben replied. “It's just, I haven't even called her yet. It’s a little weird to show up on her doorstep unannounced."

  “It'll be weirder to spend the night in holding, trust me,” Bishop replied.

  “Well, if one of you ladies could knock for me, that would be greatly appreciated. These cuffs make it more than a little difficult.”

  Kasey glanced at him, then pounded on the door

  "Coming," a voice called. It was smooth and sonorous, like a singer. There was a slight accent that Kasey couldn't place.

  The door opened, revealing a young woman that couldn't be more than twenty. The woman was perhaps five-foot two but had curves to kill for. It was easy to see why Ben had skipped work. Between the striking red hair and ready smile, he hadn't stood a chance.

  “Hey, there!” Skyler said with a smile. “I wasn't expecting to see you again so soon.”

  Skyler's eyes wandered over Kasey and Bishop before settling back on Ben. “Why are the police here?”

  “Hi Skyler,” Bishop started. “I’m sorry to interrupt your morning. My name is Detective Bishop from the Ninth Precinct. This is Kasey, one of our medical examiners.”

  "The police? Am I in trouble?" Skyler asked, her lip quivering.

  "No, not at all, Skyler. We have evidence that places Ben at a crime scene last night. Ben, however, insists that he spent the night here. We were wondering what you have to say about that. Are you willing to corroborate his story?"

  Skyler bit her lip. "Corroborate? I'm sorry, I don't get it. What is it you are wanting me to do?"

  Kasey rolled her eyes, but Bishop was more patient.

  "Skyler, Ben told us that he spent the night here. We need to know from you whether or not that is true and if you would be willing to sign a statement to that effect."

  "Oh sure, I can do that," Skyler replied. "He was here most of the night. Didn't leave until early this morning. I don't see how he could have been anywhere else. I am sure I would have noticed."

  "Would you sign a statement to that effect?" Bishop asked.

  “Of course,” Skyler replied. “That's what happened.”

  “We appreciate your help, Skyler.” Bishop reached into her pocket and drew out a key for the handcuffs. Reaching behind Ben, she uncuffed him.

  "Mr. Glassen, Skyler, we appreciate your help this afternoon. The Ninth Precinct apologizes for any inconvenience we might have caused you," Bishop said gently as she released Ben. "We will send someone by later with statements for you both to sign, but until then, have a great day.”

  Ben rubbed his wrists. "Sorry, Skyler, not how I pictured today going. I appreciate your help."

  "Happy I could, but now that you're here, want to come in?" Skyler asked.

  Ben was dumbfounded. "Ah, yeah, sure."

  Turning to Bishop and Kasey, he nodded. "We'll see you later, officers."

  Skyler grabbed Ben by the shirt and pulled him into the apartment before closing the door.

  The walk back to the elevator passed in awkward silence.

  Bishop reached for the button.

  Kasey couldn’t take it anymore. “I know what I saw, Bishop. Clear as day. Ben shot Cyrus at the gala.”

  Bishop gently shook her head as the doors parted. Kasey followed her into the lift and pressed the button for the ground floor.

  Bishop looked at her. “I know what you think you saw, but he has two people who are willing to swear that he was nowhere near the gala last night. Hell, there is probably a dozen or more others who saw him in the bar. There is no way that charges are going to stick until we find something more concrete. We need a smoking gun, literally.”

  “So, we have nothing?” Kasey asked.

  “Pretty much,” Bishop replied. “Samson and his band of thieves are all dead. The last of them, including Kovacs, were gunned down by a ghost who slipped straight through our fingers. Cyrus’ shooting was the only killing at the gala that was executed with any degree of forethought, and our only lead was Ben. Turns out, that he is a dead end too.”

  The elevator doors opened, and Bishop stepped out of the lift. Kasey didn’t move.

  “Bishop. What if I only thought I saw Ben shoot Cyrus?”

  “You think it was the thieves, after all? I thought Vida’s results ruled that out.”

  “No, no,” Kasey replied. “The person I thought was Ben. What if it wasn’t him? What if it was our ghost? After all, we thought it was Stevens in the warehouse today, but it wasn’t. It was the ghost. What if the same man was at the gala? What if he wore some sort of mask and took Ben’s place on that shift to get to Cyrus?”

>   The elevator door tried to close but Kasey held it firm.

  “That’s a lot of buts and what ifs, Kasey. It might be a nice theory, but unless we have a way of finding our ghost, it’s just a theory.”

  “Well, I was thinking about that,” Kasey said. “Until I realized… our shooter would need to be sure Ben didn’t show up for his shift.”

  “Exactly. Meaning he has a partner, Skyler.” Bishop concluded, drawing her gun as she stepped back into the elevator.

  Kasey removed her hand. As the worn aluminum doors slid shut, three gunshots rang through the building.

  Chapter Sixteen

  As the elevator neared the fourth floor, Bishop looked at Kasey. “Careful, Kasey. Whoever wanted Cyrus dead is cleaning house. First Samson and now Ben. We brought him right to her.”

  “She would have gone after him either way. It was only a matter of time. At least we were here when it happened,” Kasey replied.

  “That’s cold, and it’s not like you.” Bishop answered, studying Kasey, “and where is your gun? If you don’t have it now when it counts, what is the point?”

  Kasey shrugged. “Sorry, I forgot it. It’s still in my bag at the station.”

  Bishop shook her head. “Keep your head down. When the doors open, wait for my lead. The hall will be a kill zone. There is no cover between us and the room. As soon as we step out of the lift, we’ll be exposed.”

  Kasey nodded. With Bishop in the mix, using her magic was out of the question. She would save their lives only to expose the existence of the World of Magic. The Arcane Council would be furious and had already proved themselves heavy handed in enforcing the Anti Discovery Initiative.

  The light on the floor display rested on the fourth floor. It felt like an eternity as the aluminum doors slid open.

  Kasey’s heart pounded in her ears. A trickle of sweat ran down her brow as she sought to ready herself for the cold-blooded killer waiting in room 406.

  The doors came to a halt, and Bishop scanned the corridor. It was clear.