CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR: Sixteen Good Reasons
Benny and Julie were enjoying the riverboat cruise they had missed the night before. Gina was dragging the reluctant and exhausted Harold around the French Quarter. Elderberry was sitting on the couch in the Hilton lobby, waiting for Harold and Gina to return. Debbie was at the wedding, having a horrible time. Andie was home trying to find someone to talk to. The calls she made to Harold, Debbie, Benny and Tony were all received by answering machines. Even the call she made much later to Nick had the same result.
Peter was at the hospital, trying to convince Carlos that even though Frank was next on the list, a donor needed to be found first.
Meanwhile, back at the crash site in Africa, Dave Peltier decided to go back to New Lake City to finish the job he started. He didn’t trust Peter Grimes to do his work.
Jamie was sitting in her apartment, watching movies on TV.
Tony was working with the Missing Persons Department, trying to find Debbie. He went to the 7-Eleven where he worked to finish some inventory paperwork that was behind schedule. He heard a voice coming from the side of the building.
“Hey, Italian boy,” said the voice.
“Who said that?” asked the startled Tony.
“Over here, it’s me.” Tony walked to the side of the building where the voice was coming from and saw the old man.
“Oh, it is you, Joseph,” said Tony. “You frightened me.”
“Sorry, my boy. I didn’t mean to do that. You looking for something?”
“As a matter of fact, I am. I seem to have lost my Deborah.”
“Lots of things have been getting lost lately. Three lives were just lost in a plane crash. Do you know why?”
“Because the plane crashed?” asked a confused Tony.
“Well, yeah. But do you know why they were on that plane to begin with?”
“No. I do not know. I have been trying to find Deborah all day. I have not been keeping up with the news.”
“That’s too bad, my boy. It’s getting real interesting. Keep an eye out for your girl’s boss. He’s up to something.”
“Do you mean the Harold person?”
“Well, him too, but I mean her big boss – that Peter Grimes character. Why don’t you send the police in his direction? He knows what’s going on.”
“Does he have something to do with Deborah’s disappearance?”
“I’m just saying he knows what’s going on. Bring the police to him.”
“Why are you telling me this information?”
“Two reasons. First, I want to see that bastard pay for what he’s done, and second – I really could use a few bucks for some more wine.”
Tony reached in his pocket and gave the old man a twenty. “What has he done?” asked Tony.
After grabbing the twenty, the old man said, “He’s trying to make me pay for something I did thirty-five years ago.”
“Why would he be making you pay for something that happened that long ago?”
“Well, it’s like this,” said the man. “I wasn’t always like this. It started many years ago. I was a struggling musician. After I lost my girl, my heart wasn’t into the music business. I worked my way through law school by playing in clubs. It took a lot of years of struggling but I finally made it. I became a successful lawyer. I wanted to start my own law firm, but didn’t have the finances. I met this young, upstart attorney named Peter Grimes. He was a great kid. He graduated from Harvard, was making a great name for himself, and had a lot of money from an inheritance. We started a firm together fifteen years ago and it became the most prestigious firm in the city.”
“But, that would mean, you are…”
“William Joseph Wainwright,” said the man.
Tony was amazed. “But you are a homeless alcoholic. How can you be that way?”
“Its all part of Peter’s great plan. You see - Peter has plans of controlling this entire city. He lost sight of what our business was supposed to be. All he wants is control. He got Carlos Verona involved in deals to help his cause. I didn’t want the firm to be involved with that man in any way. Peter knew of my previous addiction to the bottle and somehow got me back on it. He manipulated my life to make it look like I moved to Africa for a yearlong safari. Meanwhile, he and Carlos started a partnership, using the firm as a cover.”
“Why did not you go to the police?”
“They got me good, Tony. Every few days, one of their boys come around and gives me some kind of roofie. It’s always a cop. Most of the cops in this town work for Carlos. I’m always too drunk to fight it off. They got my house, my cars and anything that made me part of society. It seems that nobody believes the ranting of an old, homeless drunk.”
“Why are you telling me this now?”
“It looks like their master plan is falling apart. It’s time I expose that bastard.”
“But you did not tell me why you are paying for something that happened thirty-five years ago.”
“That was Carlos’ idea. He’s been upset all these years because I stole his girlfriend away from him. He’s all hell-bent on making me suffer.”
“So, Carlos is behind the plane crash?”
“He might be behind it, but he didn’t cause it. He can’t kill anybody. He’s the worst mob boss I’ve ever seen. That’s why he got involved with Peter. Peter doesn’t have much of a conscience. He’s the one who has people going around doing Carlos’s dirty work.”
“Have you ever tried to tell this to anybody before?”
“I tried to tell that homicide detective a few days ago. It seems like he’s the first cop I’ve seen that I could trust. He was right here, watching one of Peter’s men. I told him to keep an eye on that guy and he would be led to the murderer.”
“What murderer?”
“The one who killed that rock and roll drummer about a week ago. I don’t think that detective took me seriously, though.”
“You know who killed this Zipper Down?”
“I have a good idea.”
“That is an amazing story,” said Tony. “We must do something to help you win your life back.”
“I’d like that, Tony,” said Wainwright.
“How can you help?” “I have made friends in the police department,” said Tony, with a smile.
Elderberry was sitting on the couch, trying to make sense of the situation. Why did Peltier leave New Orleans? What is his lawyer friend doing here and why is her friend here with that little bitch while trying to avoid the lawyer?
Peter and Carlos were arguing at the hospital.
“What kind of sick game are you playing, Grimes? I brought my precious boy over here, expecting a liver transplant, and now you tell me I gotta wait?”
“I’m sorry, sir. These things take time.”
“Look at this boy. He ain’t got much time left. You do whatever you gotta do and do it now. Do I make myself clear?”
“Yes, sir,” said the dejected Peter. He watched Carlos walk away and started thinking, Hmm, Carlos would make the perfect donor.
Jamie picked up her phone as it rang. “Hello, this is O’Malley – Oh, hi Daddy – No, everything’s fine – You saw Nick? - As a matter of fact, he’s working for me now – oh, no, not in that way. He works for a business I’m taking care of now – I know, Daddy. I’ll be careful. I love you. Tell Mom the same.” She smiled as she hung up the phone. There’s no way Elderberry will find Nick in Lafayette.
Gerome got up from the couch as he noticed Gina and Harold coming back into the hotel lobby.
“Excuse me, sir. I’m Lieutenant Gerome Elderberry from the New Lake City Homicide Department. I’d like to ask you a few questions, if you don’t mind.”
“Well, we do mind,” said Gina. “We just came back here to change. Harold is taking me to Commander’s Palace for supper. Come on, baby, don’t pay attention to pretty boy over here.”
“Excuse me, miss. Did you just hear who I said I was?”
“Of course. I’m not deaf, you idi
ot.”
Harold was breaking out in a sweat as he saw Gerome turning red with anger.
“Listen here, you little bitch…”
“Hey, stop right there,” said Gina, as she turned to Harold. “Sweetheart, are you going to let this mean man talk to me like this?”
“Yeah, sweetheart,” said Gerome. “Do you have anything to say in this little bitch’s defense?”
“We have nothing to say,” said Harold. He grabbed Gina and walked away. Elderberry followed them.
“You have something to hide, Rogers?”
Harold stopped, turned around, and said, “Look, I don’t know why you’re all the way down here in New Orleans asking us questions. You’re way out of your jurisdiction. Neither this young lady, nor I have anything to discuss with you. Good day.”
“You don’t want to tell me why Pel-tire just left a few hours ago, why your lawyer friend was also here and left, why one of Apocalypse’s weenie boys is here with that skanky BreastMaster whore, and why you’re here with a sixteen-year-old little slut?”
“You asshole,” hollered Gina. “I’m going to tell my uncle to have you thrown off the force.”
“And just who is your uncle?” asked Gerome.
“Don’t tell him,” begged Harold.
“Carlos Verona,” said Gina. “He’ll have Chief Bushman turn in your badge in a second.”
Gerome smiled. “So, Rogers. You’re here with the sixteen-year-old niece of the biggest crime boss New Lake has ever seen.”
“He’s not a crime boss,” said Harold. “He’s a respected businessman – and she isn’t sixteen, she’s, um, twenty-one.”
“If you say so,” said the unconvinced Gerome. “Did he have something to do with Zipper Down’s murder?”
“He wasn’t murdered,” said Harold. “It was an accident. That’s what the coroner’s report indicated.”
“And what are you doing reading the coroner’s report?” asked Gerome.
“Why don’t you leave us alone, dick wad?” said Gina.
“Oh, what a clever name to call an officer of the law,” said Gerome.
“You’re just jealous because the Cramping Violets are going to make it big and you’ll be stuck being a small-time detective. Who cares that Zipper Down was murdered? He wasn’t a good drummer, anyway.”
“Shut up,” cried Harold.
“Hey, don’t you tell me to shut up. Nobody tells me to shut up,” Gina yelled at Harold.
“Yeah, let the little slut talk,” said Gerome.
“Quit calling her a little slut,” said Harold. “We’re finished talking to you.” He grabbed Gina again and went to their room.
“I’ll be talking to you soon,” said Elderberry. He decided to wait for Benny and Julie. There was one more question he needed to ask. A while later, Harold came out the elevator without Gina and approached Elderberry.
“So you decided to talk?” asked Gerome.
“I just have one question. When you said Pel-tire was here, did you mean to say Pel-tee-ay?”
“Yes. I don’t like to say his name that way. I don’t like when people try to prove me incompetent. ”
“Thank you, sir. I’ll be more than happy to talk to you when we get back to New Lake City. You’ll have our full cooperation.” Harold assumed Elderberry was talking about Dave Peltier.
“That’s more like it,” said Gerome. Harold hurried to his room and called Peter. The answer machine picked up before anyone else.
“Grimes, this is Harold. Pick up the damn phone. Dave Peltier was just here in New Orleans.” Nobody picked up the phone.
“It looks like your boss isn’t home,” said Gina. “Why don’t you relax and take your clothes off?” Harold turned around and saw a naked young vixen. It may have been the stress and fatigue, but in that instance - consequences were the furthest thing from his mind.
At the wedding reception in Miami, Marlena sensed Debbie wasn’t enjoying herself. She ran into an old boyfriend, who was with one of his friends, then introduced them to Debbie.
“Debbie, I want you to meet an old friend of mine. This is Alex,” said Marlena.
Debbie put on her best fake smile. “Pleased to meet you, Alex,” she said.
She looked over the shoulder of Alex and saw a handsome man with a delighted grin. He was bobbing his head to the loud salsa music the band was playing. She knew this was a setup.
“Likewise,” said Alex.
“I’m glad you could make it down for the wedding. Hey, I want you to meet my friend...”
“Hold on a second,” interrupted Debbie. She went to Alex’s friend and asked, “Is your name Tony?”
The man looked at her in surprise and replied, “Why yes it is. Have we met before?”
“Yes, we have,” said Debbie. “We have met in bars. We have met in coffee shops. We have met in parks, schools, places of business, and blind dates. And you know what? Every time we meet - it turns out the same.” Her rage was building to a boil. “You and your kind are all assholes. You pretend to love until it’s reciprocated, then you go on to the next one. Yes, Tony we have met – and you can go straight back to the hell you came from.”
Marlena grabbed Debbie and dragged her aside. Miami Tony ran the other way.
“Sweetie, I don’t think you’re well,” said Marlena.
“Obviously,” said Debbie, as the tears started to flow down her pink cheeks. “I think we need to go home.”
“Well, you see,” said Marlena, “Alex and I kind of hit it off, again. I think I’m going to stay here a while. I was hoping you and his friend would get together - if you know what I mean.”
“I know exactly what you mean,” said Debbie. “No thanks. You know he’ll just use you then toss you aside when he’s done.”
“What makes you think I’m not going to do that to him?” asked Marlena.
“I’m sorry, Marlena. I can’t handle these games. I need more than that. I’m going home.”
Debbie called a cab, got her bags from the hotel, and then went to the airport to catch an early flight home.
An unexpected thunderstorm hit New Lake City. The roads were slick and inattentive drivers were causing traffic congestion at every turn. Peter’s drive home from the hospital was nerve-racking. All he could think of was getting a nice tall glass of bourbon and watching The Pelican Brief, which he just picked up at a local Blockbuster Video store. He actually looked forward to spending some time at home with his wife. Movie night was a great escape for him.
When he reached home, a cute young lady dressed in a Ramone’s Mobile Spa uniform was just leaving. Francine greeted Peter, dressed in a brand new modest cocktail dress. A huge smile was on the face that just received two hours worth of an in-home facial along with the dress. That’s when he realized he forgot about the plan for the evening. Ursula prearranged it the week before, but wasn’t there today to remind him. She arranged the facial and dress delivery, then made dinner reservations at Rollins Tower. She knew Peter was neglecting Francine and always made sure to throw date nights into his schedule.
As they rode along the freeway in the downpour, Francine’s smile gave way to concern.
“Is everything okay?” she asked. “You seem a little distracted.”
“Yes, everything is fine. Why do you ask?”
“You haven’t said a word since you picked me up.”
“I’m sorry, honey,” he said. “I guess everything at work is getting to me right now. This extra work for Carlos Verona is stressing me out a bit.”
“I thought it might be something else. I’ve never seen you this stressed before.”
“No, I assure you, its just Verona.”
“I thought it might have something to do with a Dave Peltier.”
“Excuse me,” Peter said in surprise. He had never mentioned that name to her before. “What made you say that man’s name?”
“Well, right before you picked me up, I heard the answering machine take a message from Harold Rogers. He s
aid something about a Dave Peltier being in New Orleans.”
“What?” yelled Peter, as his eyes glued to Francine. “There’s no way. I just talked to Peltier a couple of hours ago and he was still in Africa.”
“Sweetheart, I can tell you’re upset but please keep your eyes on the road,” said Francine. Peter looked back just in time to see the back end of an eighteen-wheeler, carrying a load of bricks stopped in his lane. He slammed the brakes as the Mercedes crashed into the trailer.
Elderberry waited patiently for Julie and Benny. When they walked in, he ambushed them.
“Before you two get all huffy, I just need to ask one quick question.”
Julie gave him a look that could kill. “This better not have anything to do with Zipper Down.” She then mouthed the name Gary Bell to him.
“All I need to know is what part of this wretched state is Nick Pel-tire from.” Benny was squirming. Julie looked at him and noticed his nervous status.
“We’ll talk later like we discussed. Now, leave us alone,” said the agitated Julie. Elderberry discretely followed them at a distance to get more info when he heard Benny ask Julie… “Why would he want to know where Nick was from? There’s no way he could find clues to Zipper Down’s murder in Lafayette.” Gerome stepped to the side behind a marble column and smiled. I think a quick trip to Lafayette will put the missing piece of this puzzle in its place, he thought to himself.
Tony led Wainwright into the precinct house and walked up to Officer Gillis.
“Velma Gillis, I would like you to meet a friend of mine,” said Tony. “He has a story I think you would love to hear.”
The Devil's in My Bathroom Page 45