Bouncer (29 page)

Chapter 26

Tuesday, September 24th, 2002

Nick kept his word and cut two-dozen pink and red roses from Mrs. Simms’ garden for Fox. He also cut some for Susan, who was rightfully furious with him, her black eyes sparking like hot coals. Lea, hunched white and diminutive under the thin sheet of her hospital bed, turned a weary face towards him, squinting because she didn’t have on her glasses.

“Nick Thayne,” she managed to mutter between dry lips. “Are those
flowers
?”

“They’re from Mrs. Simms’ garden. She wanted you to have them. You know you’re lucky to be alive. That flowerpot she wielded cracked your stubborn little skull. What I can’t understand is why you didn’t call me. Why did you go out on your own? That was just plain stupid.”

“So, now
I’m
stupid? That’s rich coming from someone with an intellect like a chauvinistic troglodyte. I least I had it all figured out.”

“Well, bully for you. I didn’t realize we were in a race. The least you could do is say thank you, though I’m not sure such words exist within your limited vocabulary. Weren’t you aware that Edith Simms was all prepared to add one of your pointed little talons to her finger collection?”

She wiggled her ten digits at him. “I never waste time pondering events that didn’t happen.”

“Well, at least you’re getting better. Your tongue is as sharp as ever!” He placed the flowers on the wheeled meal stand before sinking down onto the uncomfortable hospital chair. “So what
did
happen?”

“I’m not sure I should tell you—being that you’re so grumpy.”

Nick folded his arms. “Shows how you bring out the best out in me. Okay. I’m all ears. What happened, oh super sleuth?”

“Well, now that you’re listening and have acknowledged my superior abilities, I’ll tell you. I originally intended only to find out where the tunnel led and then phone you as backup, but unfortunately, Mrs. Simms was in the greenhouse working on her orchids.”

“She heard you coming up the steps?”

“I’ve never been a quiet climber,” defended Lea, convinced it was probably the clumping sound of her lame foot that had caused her to be caught off guard. “I barely even recognized I was in the hothouse before I felt the blow.”

“So, did your life flash before your eyes?” he mocked gently.

“Nah. It was more like a guillotine; one swift black slice before La La Land. I’m amazed I even woke up. Didn’t expect to be in some damn emergency room.”

It was impossible for her to say thank you. Nick wondered how flippant she’d be if she’d opened her eyes to the jars containing Ashley’s baby or Delilah’s finger.

“So, she killed Thad and Connie? I suspected as much.”

“But how?”

“A few things just didn’t add up,” said Fox. “Remember when she showed me her orchids?”

“On that first day?”

“Yeah. She dragged me to them with such incredible strength I was amazed. That inconsistency never left my mind, nor where she’d gotten all the money for that mansion; it must have been a mighty fine insurance policy on her husband. The final key was discovering her daughter died in childbirth. Where were the photos and paintings of this nameless girl and husband? My F & H pointed me in that direction, but I was so hell-bent on discovering Bouncer’s identity that I put off researching her more.”

“And look where that got you.”

“Almost sharing a headstone with Thad and Connie,” she grumbled.

“After all this, I’m thoroughly convinced Philemon was probably lucky to get away with his life,” said Nick snagging a little cup and filling it with water. He bent the straw so she could sip it between her dry lips before continuing. “Of course, Anthony Montanari has now substantiated everything. He’s admitted to being blackmailed by Mrs. Simms for over twenty-eight years and Thad Fisher for almost twenty-three. Both blackmailers kept asking him for favors, campaign donations, the scholarship fund, and later, hard cash. It was a nasty story all around, but you know who the real victims were? Mrs. Simms’ daughter Delilah and poor Eddie Murdock, who was brow-beaten by his sister into taking care of his great-nephew.”

“And what about Chief Rollins’ role?” asked Fox.

“I believe Richard was actually afraid that Trish Fisher had something to do with all of it. It’s a pathetic issue I’ll update you on later when you’re feeling better. Let it suffice to say that the current mayor is actively working an early retirement for him since it’s clear Rollins did everything in his power to impede justice and stifle our investigation.”

“And what’s going to happen to poor Bouncer?”

“I’m not exactly sure. While Roger and I are convinced Eddie didn’t have anything to do with the murders, he must have suspected his sister got the money from somewhere. We’ve verified he was actually off the night Thad and Connie were killed, playing pool and drinking at his local hangout. I’d drink, too, if I had his job. That’s when Charlie got out and bit poor Connie.’

It was all too revolting to ponder. “And Philemon?”

“A free man—just like Luke Cambridge is going to be real soon.”

He gave her another sip of water. Damn, there wasn’t much to her under the hospital sheets. “Hey, that reminds me,” said Nick trying to perk her up. He waved a check at her. “Roger Chung signed it himself.”

“Roger?”

“That’s right. He’s officially been appointed the new police chief. He’s lucky to be alive as well after his stitches broke open. He developed an infection, and Susan nearly killed the both of us after our little escapade. It’s addressed to Fox Investigative Agency.” The check was for six thousand dollars.

“Well, that ought to help pay a few bills,” she said dismissively.

“Yeah, that ought to. But you know what’s even better?” He whipped out another check from his suede jacket pocket. “Take a look at this one.”

She squeaked, “Twenty thousand dollars!”

“From one Meredith Cambridge. Apparently Luke’s mother never believed that Luke and Deke killed Ashley Peebles. Had a private reward sitting in an interest bearing account for nearly 25 years for anyone who could bring the real culprit to justice. Brought the check over last night to the boarding house. She’s actually a sweet old girl. That makes a cool thirteen grand each between the two checks. Not bad for less than a week’s work.”

Lea gulped. That was more than she had made the entire year.

“So, you’re staying in town for a while?” asked Lea.

“Why—you a little short on visitors? I think so. Roger and I are going to head down to Modesto tomorrow to be there when Luke is released. Can you imagine sitting in prison for twenty-five years for a murder you didn’t commit? Anyway, we are going to work on finding him a halfway house in Sacramento to try to get him back on his feet. I’ll be back in a couple of days to see you. Why don’t you let me give Bernard a ring? He’s been here, hasn’t he?”

She frowned. “Of course! I’ll see him later this evening.”

“Then I’d better skedaddle—wouldn’t want to make him jealous.”

“As if that’s possible!”

“Ooh, she
is
getting better! Later, Fox. We’ll divvy up the loot when I get back.”

It was too quiet when he left, and she wished Bernard would come.

Nick was as good as his word and showed up two days later with Roger in tow. Behind him stood a grinning Philemon Jenkins, with a Dodger’s baseball cap in hand

“The Lord be praised, Ms. Fox.”

“I’m glad to see you sprung, Philemon. But I can’t be happier than Darcy.”

“My Darcy will put double in the plate this Sunday, that’s for sure. You don’t mind if I help escort you home?”

“Not at all.”

So, Philemon wheeled her out of the hospital even though she was quite capable of walking. Lea actually enjoyed being doted on a bit and allowed the three men to fuss over her. Once they had arrived back at her small house fronted by several well-tended rose bushes, she halted abruptly. The triple birch trees swayed gently, shading a perfectly mown lawn and immaculate side planters filled with hibiscus and bottlebrush.

“My yard’s been tended.”

“It was a pleasure,” laughed Philemon.

She smiled gratefully at him before noticing the thin man standing awkwardly upon her doorstep.

“Why, Dr. Koh . . . is that for me?”

Steven shrugged stiffly. He had visited the local florist and instructed the grinning shopkeeper to stuff every species of flowers they sold into the oversized bouquet. It was a marvel indeed.

It seemed only natural to suggest the four men all remain and have a drink. Lea rustled up three of her largest vases as Roger stifled a mischievous grin on his face while pouring fine ten-year old cognac into each one of their snifters.

“I’ve a proposition for you two,” said Roger taking a deep whiff of the spirit and sighing. “As the new police chief of Monroe, it seems to me that I have assembled before me an incredible team of minds, who I’d certainly like to be able to depend on in a crunch.”

“Well, that would be news to some of us,” snorted Thayne. Lea had changed into a fuzzy olive-green sweater and baggy gray sweats, which were stained at the knees. Her socks were pee yellow. Good grief, the casual Fox was just as fashion-challenged as the business one! Steven, of course, noticed nothing, preferring to examine his drink as if it were chemically infested.

Roger wisely ignored him. “It’s occurred to me that Fox Investigative Services and Thayne Private Investigations aren’t going to make it on their own servicing the two cities in this county, so I’ve come up with a plan. The pair of you could form your own investigative agency. You would be able to handle all the business in Monroe and Girard. Shoot, it’s only a 50-minute drive between the two towns. Think of all those divorces, cheating wives, bail bond jumpers, and who knows what else. There might be another tantalizing case coming up, just like this one.” He pulled a police report out of his coat pocket and spread it out on the oval table. Philemon sipped the strong alcohol gingerly. He wasn’t reformed enough to deny himself a celebratory drink.

“That would be unthinkable,” summed up Fox, but her curiosity was pricked. “What’s this?” she asked, leaning forward. Thayne remained mute, acting like a bee had just stung him, the allergic reaction making it difficult for him to breathe. Steven seemed unusually annoyed as well.

“Wow,” she cried. “The packing company in Chancy just 20 minutes down the road from Monroe burned to the ground last night. At first, they thought it was just an electrical fuse, but later discovered a few blackened cans of gasoline near the rear entrance. Sounds like arson. I wonder who stands to profit?”

Nick stayed ominously quiet as Philemon grinned. This was better than Reality TV.

“Let’s face it,” continued Roger. “I’m drastically shorthanded. I’ve got five men, two of whom are rank rookies, an overweight dispatcher hooked on diet pills, a secretary who’s wacko about Jacko, as well as a coroner and forensics expert who makes family meals a weekly ordeal.”

Steven retorted. “I thought you’d appreciate knowing about all the chemicals negligent food companies place in their products. At your age, you should be more concerned about what you eat.”

“The truth is,” continued Roger, “I need some help and could sure use two crack private investigators to help manage my stress level. This is a large county with over two hundred thousand people spread out over farmlands, potato fields, and all the citified nooks and crannies in-between. I’ve already checked with the mayor and she’s willing to allocate a sizable portion of her slush fund—and the money saved by having Chief Rollins retire early—to enable you to both work on a contract basis. You could concentrate on those missing kids we can’t find, arson cases we don’t have the expertise or manpower to solve, and the occasional homicide. I was thinking maybe Thayne and Fox or Fox and Thayne might make a good name for your new investigative team. You each have your own special
gifts
to bring to the table. What do you think?”

Fox was the first to react. She scoffed. “I don’t remotely need him, since I’ve just hired Philemon to help me out.”

Thayne turned on her furiously. “But that’s impossible—I just hired him! What do you mean you hired Philemon?” He faced the ex-hit man. “Well?” he demanded.

A loud chuckle swelled from deep inside Philemon. “I can’t deny it’s true—I’ve promised the both of you I’d work for you’all. Roger said it would be best tactic to get you two together. If you team up, I’ll have not made false promises to anyone. I can’t lie, you know. Our sweet Savior forbids it.”

Nick gnashed his teeth. “What the hell are you up to, Roger?”

“Maybe I’m just tired of lending you money. Come on, Nick. It’s the best compromise. That thirteen grand isn’t gonna last forever. And she’s the only woman I know who won’t fall for your charm or fail to tell you when you’re just plain full of shit.”

Nick’s handsome face contorted. “I refuse to work with her! I only teamed up this
once
because she wouldn’t give me the information I needed on the Peebles case!”