Crime Components

Chapter 2

CHAPTER TWO

I make my way out of the courthouse and across the street to my favorite coffee shop, the Legal Eagle. The Eagle, which serves the people working at the courthouse, is owned by a vivacious lady named Mary Olive Devlin, who’s just a few years removed from her home in Dublin, Ireland.

I spot Blondie through the big plate glass window. All 5’4" of her, looking like a young Lana Turner. She's reading the newspaper. I have to stop for a second and murmur a prayer of thanks that I’m the lucky guy who married this lovely lady. She's dressed in her summer uniform: navy blue linen skirt and a crisp white, short-sleeved shirt.

As I enter, the milk and honey voice of Teresa Brewer comes from the radio behind the counter singing her hit, "Music, Music, Music." I hum a couple of lines along with her until John Mahoney, a well-known criminal attorney, says "Hello." We make small talk for a couple of seconds, then I move back to where my beautiful bride waits.

"How's my best girl?"

She gives me that million dollar smile that Hollywood would give a sack of gold to capture. "Your only girl is just fine. I ordered for you. Now, what's new?"

"Nothing I can put my finger on, but I have the feeling that something off the wall is going on with a supposed missing person’s case that Morse tells me is ‘not a case.’"

Blondie had happened to be in Harry's office when the woman came in. “I would say she's in her late fifties, nicely dressed, well-educated and level-headed. She wanted to file a missing persons report on a man who’s a salesman at the Acme Auto Agency. Harry as good as told her that the man was on an extended drunk in Mexico, and not to worry. The kicker is that a second salesman who works for Acme is also missing."

This jolts me with that old feeling that homicide reporters like to refer to as their gut instinct. "Honey, something tells me I better go out to the Acme Auto Agency and check this out."

"Okay Gene, if you really think it's important, go ahead. I have to get home and take care of the boys. Mom is going over to the Martin's for dinner and I don't want to make her late. By the way, as I recall, you and I have some plans to spend quality time alone together this evening."

Blondie slides out of the booth and pulls her black, leather bag off the seat. She checks its interior to be certain her badge, g*n, and ID are in place, then settles the strap over her left shoulder. She gives me a good look and plants a kiss on my cheek.

"Just don't take all night. I'll wait for you."

As Blondie makes her exit, every male eye in the joint watches the fluid hip movement under her skirt. You know, the cops are right when they wonder how a 5'8" guy like me, with a mug that came straight out of Ireland, ever got such a beautiful wife. They don't know that we were childhood sweethearts. I guess the man upstairs puts the right people together to make a perfect marriage.

I finish my snack, pay my bill, and move out of The Eagle into the soft desert night. I’m amazed how close the stars seem to be, up in the black velvet sky. I find my car on the lot and head out from Van Buren Street toward the Acme Auto Agency.