Melody (THE LOGAN FAMILY) (15 page)

She scoffed. “Yeah, maybe in the early nineties.” She headed toward the stairs. Sarah rushed after her.

“Mel, wait, please.”

Keith waved. “Sarah, let her go. She needs her rest.”

Melody couldn’t take his sly attitude any longer. She wouldn’t even pretend to be polite from now on. If Sarah intended on bringing Keith to the house, Melody would make it damn tough on the both of them. She turned around.

“Yeah, I do need my rest, which is something I can’t get since you’re always here.” She walked toward him. “You think you’re so smart, don’t you, Keith? Running and lying to Sarah when you know damn well what happened in my office yesterday!”

“Let me guess.” He crossed his arms. “In a bad mood again, Mel? What, the time with Lucas didn’t go well? Did something spoil it, like your attitude?”

“Keith,” Sarah sighed.

“No, my attitude isn’t the problem here, Keith. You may have Sarah believing you shit gold, but I know different.”

“Oh yeah?”

“Yeah! I’m not going to let you manipulate me like you manipulate her.”

“He doesn’t manipulate me, Melody!” Sarah huffed. “Look, I want us to forget about the argument we had last night, okay? I’m sorry for how I talked to you but you had no business asking questions about Keith.”

“And why is that?” Melody squinted. “Why is it so horrible for me to know more about this guy? Keith, it’s bad enough that you act a jerk when Sarah’s back is turned, but it’s completely unreasonable to expect me not to want to know things about you.”

“Well, I tried to be nice and
let
you get to know me, didn’t I?” he scoffed. “You didn’t want to be nice, Melody. Why didn’t you just ask me what you wanted to know, instead of harassing the people at my job?”

“Because I don’t believe a thing you say.”

“You know, Mel, I don’t give a shit what you think of me.”

“Keith, please.” Sarah moved in front of him.

“No, that’s the problem, Sarah! Why do you feel you gotta do everything to suit her? It’s not your fault how things turned out for Melody! If she’s not happy, I can see why. How could she be?” He chuckled. “She’s so wrapped up in
your
life she can’t have one of her own! You’re pathetic, Melody.”

“Keith!” Sarah shoved him.

“She is, and we all know it!” He looked at Melody. “Say I’m wrong. You wish you could be half the person Sarah is, don’t you? Well, you can forget it because you’re nothing like her, Melody. You’re not even fit to be in the same family with her.”

“Keith, stop!” Sarah shook her head. “I don’t understand what it is about you two but I don’t want to be caught in the middle anymore. Can’t we just let things pass and start over?”

“If you can still be with him after the nasty things he just said about me, then there’s no way in hell we can come to common ground, Sarah.”

“Melody, please.” Sarah took her hand. “You’re not being fair. I really think you and Keith could settle things if you got to know each other. Please, just give it a chance. I love him, Melody.”

Melody moved away. “Then you should be ashamed of yourself, Sarah. Keith is going to ruin your life. How many times do I have to say it?” She went to the front door.

“Where are you going, Mel?” Sarah exhaled.

“I can’t stay here another minute with him around. I hope you two have a nice night.” She opened the door.

“Melody, where are you going?” Sarah ran to the door.

“Let her go.” Keith sat on the couch. He turned around. “I really do want to be your friend, Mel. I hope you realize that before it’s too late.”

“You’re something else, Keith. I wish I knew how to lie as well as you do.”

He scoffed. “See, Sarah? What good is it to be nice to her when she’s gonna hate me no matter what?” He stood. “Melody, what in the hell do I have to do for you to accept me?”

“Leave.” She glared. “And never come back. That’s the only way I can accept you, Keith.”

“Well, I guess we just have to learn to be civil because I’m not going anywhere.” He held his waist.

Sarah took Melody’s hand. “Melody, he’s trying to make an effort. Please do the same.”

“I honestly don’t know if I can, Sarah.” She kissed Sarah’s cheek. “I’m going to Craig’s if you need me.” She left.

“Let me handle this.” Steven held the door of the Flamingo open for Brianna later that night.

“Why should you handle this when we’re on a case together?” She walked inside. She felt she could at least get to the bar without bumping into someone. She’d made a terrible assumption. The Flamingo seemed to live up to its reputation of being wild and popular. Groups of people crowded the floors. Beautiful, busty ladies of all nationalities stood on a stage twisting to Prince’s “1999.” Brianna could barely hear it for the men howling.

Steven clapped to the music. For someone who claimed he didn’t frequent the place he sure seemed comfortable.

“I know you’re uncomfortable, right?” Steven yelled over the music. Brianna watched a big-busted blonde swing her thong-covered behind in twelve different directions. “That’s why I said you should let me handle this, you know?” Steven winked at a topless waitress. She offered him and Brianna drinks. They quickly announced that they were on duty.

“Well…” Brianna shouted over the music. “This is some kind of place!” A group of rowdy men bumped into her. One winked on his way to a dinky table in the corner. “Doesn’t look like much! I mean, the bar itself, you know?”

“Nah, it’s a dump!” Steven snapped his fingers to the music. “But the people don’t come here for the bar itself, know what I mean, Bree?” He winked. “Like I said…” He twirled to the music. “You should let me handle this if it bothers you, you know?” A big-busted redhead ripped off a leather bra. She threw it toward the bar. The men howled. A man wrapped the sweaty garment around his face.

“Steven, I don’t know why you think I can’t handle this!” Brianna moved for people to pass. “I’ve been in strip bars before.”

“Oh really?” He grinned. “Care to elaborate?”

She grinned. “Maybe later if we have the time. We need to get to work and get the hell out of here. My ears are beginning to pop.” Brianna scoped the place. “I can’t imagine any of these people being too cooperative with the cops. Can you, Steven?” A man slapped another man on the head with a beer bottle. They rolled around on the floor laughing.

“Hell no!” Steven laughed. “But that’s what I love about being a cop the most, Bree. Making folks cooperate!”

They went to the bar. Steven quickly made himself at home on a center stool.

“You sure you don’t come to this place often?” Brianna sneered.

“No, I mean, I’ve been here before but a long time ago.”

Brianna grinned. “Uh-huh.”

A man scooted beside her. “Can I buy a beautiful lady a drink tonight?” He winked at her.

She rolled her eyes. “Sure, if you can find one that will
let
you buy her a drink tonight.” The man moved to another lady at the end of the bar.

“Ouch.” Steven grinned. “Glad
I
didn’t ask to buy you a drink.”

She laughed. “That’s why I hate bars. A woman can’t be in one for two seconds without some creep hitting on her.”

“He only asked to buy you a drink, Bree.”

“Yeah, but we both know he wants more.” She turned to see the man laughing it up with the woman at the bar. “I guess she’ll be the one to give it to him.” Brianna grinned.

The flabby bartender turned around. Sweat dribbled from his bald head. All the men sweated. Brianna wondered if the cause had been the lights, or the naked girls. “Hey, Detective Kemp!” the bartender guffawed. “How you doing, Steve?”

“Uh…” Steven looked at Brianna. She crossed her arms. “How you doing, Tim?”

“Fine, man!” The bartender slapped Steven’s arm. “The usual?”

“Usual?” Brianna gaped.

“Uh.” Steven straightened his collar. “No, I’m on duty tonight, Tim.”

“Ah, what a shame. Some of the girls will be disappointed. Especially Sunshine.” Tim pointed to the busty blonde dancing at the end of the stage. She waved at Steven.

“You know she’s got a big case for you, Steve.” Tim cackled.

“Really? Seems interesting.” Brianna sat down.

“Uh…” Steven grinned. “He’s just playing, you know?”

Brianna smiled at Tim. “He was just telling me he never hardly comes in here, but that doesn’t seem to be the case.”

“He used to come in here all the time! Right, Steve?” Tim laughed. “He started a couple of years back. See, he had this bitchy girlfriend he used to complain about. Said he’d come here to get some peace.” Tim chuckled. “I think the lady’s name was ‘Brenda’ or…no ‘Brianna’! That’s right, huh, Steve? According to him, she was a real bitch.”

Steven groaned.

“Oh?” Brianna ogled Steven. “Well, if he thought she was a bitch back then, I’m sure it doesn’t compare to what she’ll be from now on.”

“I’ll bet.” Steven sighed.

“Well, it’s nice to meet you, Tim.” Brianna held out her hand.

Tim kissed it. “Always nice to meet such a lovely woman, too, ma’am. I didn’t catch your name.”

“Detective Brianna Morris.” She looked at Steven. He turned away.

“Bri…” Tim looked at Steven. “Oh, ha, ha, ha! Know what I just said? I think I got that wrong, you know? He actually said you were the best girlfriend he ever had. Yep, I think so.” Tim wiped sweat from his forehead.

“Yeah, I’m sure.” Brianna grinned.

“Tim, can I get some help here or what? The place is packed.” A female bartender passed truckloads of drinks to groups of men.

“In a minute. Got a special customer.”

“Hey Steve, good to see you!” The female bartender winked. Brianna looked at him. Steven once again avoided her gaze.

Steven cleared his throat. “Uh, Tim, we’re investigating the rape of Cheyenne Wilson. We wanted to ask some quick questions.”

“It’s a damn shame.” He sighed. “Cheyenne’s probably the sweetest thing to walk in here. She never said a bad word about anyone. The customers go crazy over her routine even though she doesn’t strip. She keeps her act clean and is just here to pay off some college loans or something. Says she’s heading for New York City as soon as she gets the cash.”

Brianna looked at Steven. “Well, uh, were you working yesterday?” she asked.

Tim nodded. “But I worked only about an hour yesterday evening because I had a doctor’s appointment. I was probably gone around seven. Cheyenne hadn’t even come in then. She usually comes in at eight and dances for about an hour, so she’s usually done by nine.”

“Shit. So you weren’t here to see if she may have caught the eye of the Albany Predator, huh?” Steven sighed.

“So it
is
the same guy? Why the hell can’t you catch him?”

“Well, it takes time, Tim.” Brianna smiled.

“All I know is that Cheyenne didn’t deserve to be beaten and raped like that. She’s a good girl, even if she is working in a place like this. But who can judge her, you know? Shit, she’s probably the only person I know who’s already got a roundtrip ticket to Heaven.” Brianna and Steven exchanged glances. “I wish I’d been here to see if this guy had been in the bar.”

“Well, was anyone here that may have been here last night?”

“Uh…” Tim pointed to an extremely thin waitress scrubbing a back table. She did her best to ignore the catcalls coming from the customers.

“Juney.” Steven nodded.

“So you know her?” Brianna scoffed. They walked toward her. “Steven, for someone who doesn’t come here often, you sure have a fan club.”

He walled his eyes. “Okay, so I come here sometimes. Are you happy now?”

“No, I’m not happy to know my ex-boyfriend spent a bulk of his time at titty bars. Especially when he was with me. But since this is business I’ll let you off the hook, for now.” She smiled. “Excuse me?” She tapped Juney’s shoulder. The skinny brunette nearly toppled over.

“Yes?” She looked at the handsome man beside Brianna. “Detective Kemp! It’s always good to see you.”

Brianna shook her head. “I’m Detective Brianna Morris, Juney. We need to ask you some questions. It has to do with the Cheyenne Wilson case.”

“Uh…” Juney laid the rag on the table. She gestured for them to follow her. She led them to the restroom area. “How is Cheyenne? I tried to call the hospital but no one would say anything.”

“Well, that’s standard procedure during a police investigation.” Steven nodded. “The hospital has been notified by us not to give information, unless it’s family. She’s recovering, though we don’t know how long it will take. She was supposed to be released this evening. I’m sure you can visit her at home, but I’d give her some time. She’s been to hell and back.”

“Jesus. Cheyenne is probably the sweetest person you’d ever wanna meet. I was always telling her she’s too good for this shithole. I truly admire her.”

“Why?” Brianna glared.

“Because she has dreams and she goes after them. If I could do that, you think I’d be wiping up beer in this joint every night?”

“So you’re close friends?” Steven took out a notepad and pencil.

“Well, we don’t hang out too much after work, but we’re pretty cool. She stays to herself. She talks to me, and she used to be friends with Sheila who was another dancer here. She doesn’t work here anymore.”

“Oh, got a better gig, huh?” Steven smiled.

“I wouldn’t say that. She died last year. She had kidney failure. Cheyenne was pretty torn up about it. They were very close.”

Brianna sighed. “Well, uh, we don’t want to take up much of your time. We believe the man who attacked her was the Albany Predator. We hear a lot of regulars come in here. Did you get someone in here last night that may not have been here before?”

Steven interrupted. “Or even a regular who seems kind of strange?”

Juney grinned. “All the men who come in here seem strange. But I didn’t notice anyone.”

“Juney, did you pay any attention to Cheyenne last night?” Brianna asked.

“Well, she finished her set and she talked to some guy at the bar. Other than that, nothing seemed different.”

“Well, what did he look like?”

“The guy at the bar?” She grinned. “You tell me, Steven. You saw him, too.”

“Excuse me?” Steven chuckled. “Where did you get that from? How would I have seen who she talked to?”

“Oh wait…” She batted. “Guess that could have been around the time you left. You left around ten, I believe.”

Brianna gaped.

“Juney, what in the hell are you talking about? I wasn’t here last night.”

“Steven, yes, you were.” She laughed. “I didn’t work your table, but I saw you.” She pointed to the table in front. “You sat right there. The next thing I knew you were gone.”

“Steven, what is she talking about?”

He sighed. “I haven’t a damn idea, Bree. Juney, I was not here last night. You got me mixed up with someone else.”

“With those baby blues?” She pointed to his eyes. “No chance. Why, were you on duty or something and you didn’t want someone to know you were here?”

“I wasn’t here last night.” He sighed. “What the fuck is going on here?”

“Juney, are you sure, or do you just think you saw Steven?”

“Detective Morris, I’m looking at him now and I looked at him last night. I’ve seen Detective Kemp many times before.” She looked at him. “You were here and you sat right there. But you were gone probably by ten. Didn’t you see who Cheyenne spoke to at the bar?”

Steven lowered his head.

“Uh, thanks for everything, Juney. If you can help us out, give us a call.” Brianna passed her a card. Juney went on her way. “Steven, what in the hell is going on here?”

“Bree, I have no fuckin’ idea! I wasn’t here last night!”

“Well, she must have you mixed up with someone else.”

“Damn straight.” He shook his head. “I don’t know what that’s about but I don’t have time to wonder. I’d like to question Cheyenne Wilson since I didn’t get a chance to with you this morning.”

“Okay, but I don’t think we should tonight. She’s been through enough. Let’s let this all ride and we can head over there in the morning.”

“Good, because I got some questions of my own I’d like to ask.” Steven led the way out the bar.

“Say what? Melody, this is insane.” Mario stood outside Keith’s office the next morning. Melody would get rid of Keith if her life depended on it. For five minutes Mario had been protesting her plans to search Keith’s office. She knew he’d go along with it after minor convincing. Mario had become a friend already.

The fact that he couldn’t stand Keith, either, made knowing him even more worthwhile. Melody felt she’d been lucky to find at least one other mortal immune to Keith’s charm.

“Mel, are you trying to get fired the same month you were hired?” Mario held his waist. “I can’t stand Keith any more than you can, but this is not a good idea.”

“Why not?” She rocked back and forth.

“Because you could get fired and this is against regulations, Melody. You can’t go into another employee’s office like this. You might as well be breaking in!”

“Shh!” Melody smiled at a janitor passing through the halls. “I’m doing this, Mario. I won’t get caught, believe me. I have no choice. Please, just wait outside the door and let me know if Keith comes, okay?”