Chapter 2-4
1118 Words
Michael returned home and threw himself into cleaning his place—his usual Sunday chore. While he did, he tried to think of anything else he’d seen or heard regarding Ms. Lee. He had to admit he’d never have thought of her as a call girl. The few times he’d actually caught a glimpse of her, she had been very casually dressed. I guess even call girls get days off. He wondered if she plied her trade out of the condo she’d rented, and if so, did the owner know. Maybe he’s her pimp, if call girls have those. Not that I give a damn, as long as he doesn’t put another one in there to take her place.
That idea didn’t exactly make his day, but there was nothing he could do about it, if it happened. He thought about calling Detective Daniels to see if he’d questioned the owner of Ms. Lee’s condo, but figured the man undoubtedly had.
It was well after lunchtime when Michael finished cleaning. He had gathered up and sorted his laundry in the process, taking it to the laundry room down the hallway, and the last load was almost finished drying. While he waited for it, he made a sandwich and went out on the balcony, leaning against the railing while he ate. He saw a car pull up that he thought he recognized. A moment later he saw he was right when Reid Hanson got out.
Why’s he here? Going to interview the building manager—again? Michael was sure that had happened at least once before. Reid had actually said as much, the first time they met. Or does he have more questions for me?
The sound of the buzzer on the call box answered that, he figured. He went in, pressed the talk button, and asked who was there, despite knowing.
“Reid,” the reporter replied. “Can I come up for a few minutes?”
With a sigh, Michael pushed the button to let him in. A couple of minutes later there was a knock on the door. Michael opened it, stepping aside so Reid could enter.
“Why are you here?” Michael asked.
Reid shrugged as he looked around. “Nice place.”
“I like it. And you didn’t answer my question.”
“Would you believe me if I said I was in the neighborhood, so…”
“Nope.”
Reid laughed. “Smart man.” He went out onto the balcony. “Good view of the city,” he commented when Michael followed—leaning against the doorframe.
“Are you always this nosy?” Michael asked.
“I’m a reporter. Of course I am,” Reid replied, grinning. “Actually, I do have a reason to be here, besides to see you.”
“Excuse me? To see me? What does that mean?”
“Exactly what it sounds like. But I’ll get to that later. First off, I had another talk with the good detective. He told me more about Ms. Lee.”
“That she was a call girl.”
“Damn. How did you find out?” Reid said, looking deflated.
“He called me down to the precinct this morning.” Michael shook his head in disgust. “He found out I did time, and why, and tried to prod me into blowing up. It didn’t work.”
Reid frowned. “So he’s looking at you as a suspect in the murder?”
“He said he wasn’t, even before his games this morning. I guess he wanted to make certain I didn’t have a quick temper and maybe got very angry at her that night and…well…”
“Strangled her to death.”
“That’s how she died? I thought he wasn’t revealing that.”
“I’m good. I wormed it out of him.” Reid rubbed his nails on his shirt, grinning. “So, back to Ms. Lee’s occupation. Did you get any feeling she’d been entertaining men in her place?”
“Nope. She rarely had company—that I knew of at least.”
“But she did sometimes?”
Michael nodded, asking, “Aren’t you going to take notes, since this seems to be an interview?”
“Good memory, and a pocket recorder.” Since Reid was wearing a T-shirt, Michael figured it had to be in his jeans pocket.
“I saw her twice on her balcony, with a man. A different one each time I think, as I told the detective.”
“During the day? Never mind. You work days.”
“Yep,” Michael agreed. “It was mid-evening. I guess they could have been johns. So could the man who was with her the night before she died. I heard him, or someone, the previous Saturday, too, but didn’t look. She was ranting again, but not quite as badly as the first time. Or rather, for a shorter time. I figured the man had taken over and gotten her door unlocked.”
“You said the ranting only happened on Saturdays?”
“Yes, thank God.”
“And the building manager didn’t do anything about it, when it happened?”
“He doesn’t live on the premises. I told him about it, and so did someone else. Whether he talked to Ms. Lee, I have no clue.”
“The first time you talked with her, did you smell booze on her breath?”
“No,” Michael replied. “And I would have. I’ve been super-sensitive to that since…Well…”
“Got it,” Reid said with a sympathetic look. “But something must have set her off. I wonder…”
“I was thinking, while I was talking with the detective. What if she had a regular Saturday night john who got her high on something?”
Reid nodded. “Did you suggest that to Daniels?”
“Yep. He didn’t seem interested.”
“Probably playing things close to the vest, since you’re a civilian.”
“You are, too,” Michael pointed out.
“Ah, but I’m a special one.” When Michael snorted, Reid protested, “I am. Go to dinner with me tonight and I’ll prove it.”
Michael looked at him with wary surprise. “Are you serious?”
“Yes.”
“So you can try to pump more information out of me about Ms. Lee and company?”
“Not at all. So I can find out more about you.”
“You already know more about me than I like,” Michael said uneasily.
“I don’t know what kind of movies you like, or what books you read,” Reid countered.
“Why would you care?”
Reid smiled. “Why wouldn’t I? You seem to be an interesting man. One I’d like to get to know better.”
“Uh-huh. I’m also gay, as you know, so I doubt you mean that. Except as a reporter looking for a story.”
Reid leaned against the balcony railing, a smile quirking his lips up. “You’re not the only one out here who is.”
“You’re trying to tell me you are? I don’t believe it. I think you’re saying it as a ploy so you can—”
“Get a story out of you, as you put it? I’m not, Michael. I mean, I’m honestly not looking for a story. I told you I’d honor any confidences from you. I just want to get to know you as a person.”
Michael studied him, trying to determine if he was telling the truth. Nothing in his expression said he was lying. But then, he is a reporter. I’m sure he knows how to play into whatever the person he’s interviewing needs, to get an article out of it for the paper.
“Give me a chance to prove it,” Reid said, his look open and sincere.
“Dinner? Nothing more?”
“Absolutely.”
“All right. I have a couple of things I have to do first.”
“Fine. How about I pick you up around six?”
“How about I meet you…wherever?”
“That works, too.” Reid thought for a moment. “Do you know Aiden’s?”
“I know of it. I haven’t been there.”
“Then tonight will be a first for you.” Reid pushed off the railing. “I’ll see you there at six?”
With a nod, Michael said, “Yes.” He wasn’t certain he’d actually show up, but by agreeing, he at least got Reid out of his hair for the time being.
- Writer
