Jack Spade: Dream Detective

Chapter 9

Simmons goes to work as usual but this time instead of going to his regular place for lunch, he drives to a not-so- fancy hotel called the Mandrake Arms; A shady little place on the other side of town.

Sonny follows him, keeping his distance so as not to be seen. He takes pictures as Simmons goes to the front desk and asks the clerk if Ms. Thomson is in. The clerk turns around and looks for the key; he sees that it is there so he tells Simmons that she is in.

Simmons goes up to her room, number 6-a.

Sonny follows him up to the sixth floor. He goes up to the door, and tries to hear what is being said but he is only able to hear bits and pieces.

Inside Simmons and Peterson’s wife are having a conversation about their affair.

“He knows,” she screams at him.

“Be quiet,” says Simmons as he puts his hands up to her mouth. “Keep your voice down. Why do say he knows?”

“I can just tell by the way he’s always looking at me and asking me where I have been.”

“Look, why don’t you just divorce him?” says Simmons.

“On what grounds?” she demands. “I’m not giving up all that money.” She then moves closer to him and runs her fingers through his hair. She cuddles up closer to him. “

What we got to do is get rid of him.”

“What do you mean?” says Simmons.

“Kill him,” she says, looking him directly in the eyes.

“Jean,” says Simmons in disbelief. “You don’t mean that!”

She calmly gets up from the couch, gets a cigarette out of her purse, lights it then sits back down. She takes a deep puff from her cigarette and blows the smoke directly at

Simmons. “We have to, Larry. It’s the only way we can be together!”

“No it isn’t, Jean. And I’m not a murderer!”

He gets up and walks over to the door. He is about to open it when Jean wraps her arms around his shoulders.

“Just think about it,” she whispers in his ear. “I love you, Larry.” He pauses for a moment then opens the door. Sonny has moved to the other side of the corridor. As Larry opens the door, Jean is standing in the doorway; she slowly pulls him back into the room.

Sonny snaps a picture of them, using his pocket-sized camera

The size of a cigarette lighter. It comes in handy when a man needs to take a picture in secret or in a hurry.

When they get back into the room,

She pulls him over to the couch. “Look, baby, I have an idea how we can pull this off.”

“How?” replies Simmons.

“We just hire somebody to do it for us.”

Simmons’ eyes are about to pop out of their sockets. “Are you crazy?” he yells.

“How we going to find someone! You think they advertise in the papers?”

“Of course not,” replies Jean calmly, “but it shouldn’t be that hard, baby. Just think about it.”

Simmons leaves. Sonny follows him back to his office then goes to see Jack.

He tells him what went on at the hotel. “I didn’t hear much,” says Sonny. “

It was hard trying to hear though a closed door but I did hear the lady say ‘he knows.’ In fact she yelled it. A couple of times.” “Is that right?” says Jack.

“Yep, and there was something else. It wasn’t too clear but I think

The little lady wants to do away with Mr. Peterson but Simmons is having cold feet.”

“Okay,” says Jack as he takes the film and puts it down on his desk.

He tells Sonny to keep tailing Simmons. “We may need to see if we can get a picture of them in a more compromising position.” Jack smiles. “You know what I mean.”

“Sure, I got it, Jack. I’ll see what I can do,” says Sonny. As he turns to leave, Jennifer is coming in. “Hello, Jenny,” says Sonny then hurries pass her.

“Hi, Sonny, bye, Sonny,” she says smiling. “Boy, he was in a hurry,” she says as she turns her attention to Jack, who is still sitting at his desk, rubbing the back of his head. “What’s the matter, baby?” she says as she hurries over to his side.

“Oh, I got smacked on the head last night.”

“Oh, Jack,” she says. “You okay?”

“Yeah, baby. It’s fine now.”

“Are you sure, baby? You see a doctor?”

“No doctors,” yells Jack. “I don’t trust doctors.”

“That’s silly, Jack,” she replies. “Where was Sonny off to in such a hurry?”

“He’s working on another case!” He quickly realizes he let the cat out of the bag.

“What other case?” Jennifer asks as she stares at him with her sparkling eyes of curiosity and suspicion. Her stare is so deep, Jack can almost see daggers looking back at him.

He hesitates for a second. “Well, baby, we took on another case the other day.” He looks back at her, trying to look justified with his decision.

“I don‘t believe it,” she screams. “Jack, how could you?”

“Look, baby, this other case doesn’t mean anything. I haven’t stopped looking for your sister, and I won’t stop.”

“You’d better not,” replies Jennifer as she tries to hold back her tears.

Jack understands her concerns and he holds her tightly. “I promise you, baby.

I won’t stop looking until I find her.”

Jennifer then leaves for the club

For rehearsal. “Will you stop by the club later?” she asks.

“Sure, baby,” replies Jack. He then goes over to his desk, puts the film in his pocket, and goes out the door. He walks to a camera shop just a few blocks away from his office.

“Can I get this back by the end of the week” He ask the clerk?

“Sure, no problem, Mr. Spade,” replies the young man. He takes the film into a room with a sign on the door saying Dark Room. He must be about 17 and he works at the shop part time after school, but he is a very reliable kid.

Jack drives over to the club to see Jennifer. She is at the mike as he walks in and she motions for him to come and sit up front where a table has been reserved for him. After she is done, she goes over to his table and sits

Down. “How’s things going, baby?” he says as he takes her hand.

“It could be better.” Jack can see that she is still a little upset about him taking on another case so he keeps holding her hand as they get up to dance. Once they are on the floor, they hold each other tightly as they slow dance to

A popular song, “Stormy Weather.”

As they are dancing, Jack whispers in Jennifer’s ear, “Don’t worry, baby. I told you, I won’t let you down.”

She looks up at him and says, “I’m sorry, Jack. I won’t doubt you anymore.” When the

Number ends, they go back to their table.

Soon it’s time for another number from Jennifer. As she gets up, she gives Jack a kiss on the cheek, right on his scar. While she is singing

Sonny comes into the club and sits down at Jack’s table. “What is it, Sonny?”

Sonny starts to stammer. “I just wanted to let you know that I went to the office after I tailed Simmons back to his place. I think he’s in for the night.”

“Okay,” replies Jack. “Get on with it.”

“Like I said, I went back to the office and I had a strange visitor drop by.”

“Who?” Says Jack, as if he is a little irritated with Sonny’s speech impediment, which was acting up the more he talked.

Sonny leans in a little closer. “It was Deerfield.”

“Deerfield?” repeats Jack and his eyebrows lift up a little. “What did he want?”

“I don’t really know!” says Sonny. “He… he kept changing the subject. To…to tell the truth, he acted like he wanted to tell me something, you know, as if he couldn’t make up his mind. It was really strange. And then when he was about to leave, he said something really strange.”

“What was it?” replies Jack.

“He said to tell you he was sorry about Joe!”

Jack grabs Sonny’s arm. “

Are you sure that’s what he said?”

“Yeah. That guy is Cree- creepy,” says Sonny. Jack sits there with a strange look.

By this time Jennifer has completed her number. Sonny gets up to leave. “Hello, Jennifer,” he says and he tips his hat as he passes her by.

“Sonny is so nice.”

“Yeah, he’s a sweetheart,” replies Jack.

Jennifer laughs with delight. “Oh Jack, you are such a cad,” she says as she pats his chin. Then she says, “Where’s Joe? I haven’t seen him in a while!”

“I know! Me either.” Then he stands up and looks down at Jennifer. Suddenly he has the strangest feeling. “

Baby, I got to go…something’s wrong!”

“What, Jack? What is it?”

“I’m not sure, baby, but I got to find Joe… I’ll see you later.”

“Okay, Jack. Be careful.”

It’s already 2 am in the morning and not too many places are still open, but he looks anyway. Soon he gives up and goes to his hotel; he thinks about

Stopping by Jennifer’s but he doesn’t.

The next day Jack is beside himself with worry. This is not like Joe. Where in the hell is he? He has not seen or heard from him in three days. Before he goes to the office, he makes a call to Joe’s hotel room; still no answer. He is getting more worried; usually he and Joe stay in touch, all the time, 24/7. He thinks maybe he is back at the office, so he calls there, and again no answer. Then he realizes that the office is the best place to wait for him. Anyway he left his lighter on his desk.

When he gets there, there is still no sign of Joe, and now he begins to feel guilty.

‘Maybe something is terribly wrong and if I had realized it earlier, maybe I could have done something.’ “Wait a minute,” he shouts out. “What am I talking about? Joe’s okay,” he tries to convince himself. Then he attempts to open the washroom door again. It is still locked. He plays with the lock for a second then forces the door open. It flings open. He sees something on the floor and bends down to pick it up. It’s a cigarette butt, the brand that Jefferson smokes. He is not sure what to make of it; he is pretty sure that Jefferson has never asked to use the wash room. He puts it in his pocket then turns on the faucet and throws some cold water on his face.

As he is drying off, there’s a tap on the washroom door. Jack looks up to see who it is. Peter Kimble and two officers in uniform. “What is it, Peter?”

Kimble hesitates for a second. “Got some bad news for you, Jack. We fished a body out of the river this morning.” Jack looks up at his reflection but does not look around. “It was Joe. At least, what was left of him.”

Jack can’t believe what he’s hearing. Joe! Dead, after all they had been through. He goes over to the couch and sits there with a blank look on his face. Jennifer comes in and asks “What‘s going on?”

“Joe Sawyer is dead,” says one of the policemen. “Who are you, lady?” The cop puts his hand across the doorway, blocking her entrance.

“She’s okay,” yells Jack. “Let her pass.”

Jennifer goes over to Jack, who is still sitting on the couch, lying back and looking up at the ceiling, saying, “Why,” over and over again.

“This can’t be true,” he says, as he bends his head down between his legs. “Joe can’t be dead, he just can’t be. It’s a mistake,” he says, looking at Jennifer.

He should cry for his friend but he can’t. “Are you sure it was Joe?” he asks, looking up at Kimble.

“Yes, we are pretty sure.” Lieutenant Kimble puts his hand on Jack’s shoulder.

“Joe was still wearing his dog tags. It looks like he has been in water for a few days, Jack. Do you know who did this? His throat was crushed, Jack! A powerful man did that to him... Do you have any idea?”

“Maybe I do,” replies Jack.

Sonny starts to speak but Jack, with an eye movement, tells him not to say anything. “Who?” says Kimble.

“It’s just a hunch.”

“Don’t go doing anything stupid, Jack! If you know something, tell me.”

“I don’t know who did this,” says Jack as he looks Kimble in the eye. “Where is Joe’s body?” It’s at the station.”

He and Jennifer ride with the Police to the Station. After he does, he and Jennifer go back to his hotel. They stay together the rest of the day. Jennifer doesn’t even go back to the club. “Is there anything I can do for you, baby?” she says.

“Yes,” replies Jack, as he looks up at her. “Come sit with me.”

“Was Joe married?”

“Yes. I mean, no. His wife died a few years back,” says Jack. Jennifer puts her hand on his shoulders.

****

Meanwhile, Mr. Jefferson is at his hotel room, trying to figure out what he can do about Deerfield. As he stares at his reflection in the mirror, he thinks about his rocky marriage to Lauren. He recalls the time they were out having dinner, and a young man was quite fascinated with Lauren. Jefferson, being the control freak that he was, couldn’t help himself. He confronted the young man in such a cold and contemptible manner the man left red-faced. Lauren could only lower her head in disbelief. “Tom, you are such a fool!”

Jefferson tried to make amends for his behavior, but Lauren was having none of it. She slapped his face then got up and left.

Jefferson looks up at his reflection. He wonders why he thought of that particular incident and forces his mind back to Deerfield. He needs to get rid of him. Maybe he should call Moreno. No! I’ll take care of it myself. I must, for my own sake. He is trying to build up enough courage to do it because he knows if he doesn’t, Deerfield will squeeze him dry for the rest of his life. But when, and how? He is still looking in the bedroom mirror. Finally, he says, “I’ll just call him over, of course! He will come, he always does. And when he gets here I’ll take care of him.”

The next morning Jack is back at the office. He looks up from his desk and stares at some of his old army pictures that are hanging up on the wall; a wall full of memories. They are mostly of him and Joe, and their time in the service. Joe Sawyer was a hell of a man. He was small in stature,

About 5’7”, but he had the heart of a lion, and he was always neat and clean. He had a full head of hair with every hair in place; shoes shined so you could see your reflection in them; I guess he got that from his time in the army. To look at him, you would never think he was a private d**k.

Jack, on the other hand, looked every bit the part.

Later that evening, Jack has gone back to the police station; He goes to the morgue department; He needs to see Joe again. He walks down the long dark stairs to the Medical Examiner Office, Hello Jack’ Hey Doc’ he says, Is it ok?. Sure he replies. They need to go down another flight of stairs

That seem to never end… finally they reach the bottom. They walk into a room and go over to the containers where the bodies are kept. Jack pulls open #39 and there is Joe’s lifeless body. The creatures of the sea really did a job on his body. And it is here, seeing Joe this way, that Jack can no longer control his feelings. He weeps openly for his dear friend. The man he went to war with and saved his life; and Joe had paid him back a number of times since by saving Jack’s life. “I’m sorry, Joe,” he whispers. “I wasn’t there for you this time but I promise you I will avenge your death.” While standing there staring at Joe’s body, he remembers the time Joe returned the favor, and saved his life.

They were out on a case, it was filed as the Danbury Case; a little boy of the age of three went missing from his family home.

Turns out he had been kidn*pped. Jack and Joe had been called in by the police to help with the case. Jack had found the kidnappers’ hide out and confronted them but was captured and tied up like a Christmas turkey. Joe had found out where they was holding him and the kid; he had informed the cops of the location but when it looked like one of the men was going to shoot Jack, Joe rushed into the room and killed them both.

Jack stares at Joe and says, “You really saved my bacon that night, buddy.”

Then Lieutenant Kimble comes in. “We got Deerfield upstairs, Jack.”

“You going to book him?”

Kimble looks at Jack and shakes his head. “No, Jack, we’re not. I’m sorry, we don’t have enough to hold him. And it looks like his alibi might stand up.”

When they get into the room, two detectives are interrogating Deerfield. Jack goes over to sit down but does not say anything to Deerfield. “Okay,” says Kimble, “get this scumbag out of here.”

Deerfield slowly gets up, looks at Jack, and rubs his head (where Jack once hit him), smiles at him then leaves. “Hey, Deerfield,” says Jack, “how’s your head?”

Deerfield smiles and says, “Too bad about your partner.” Jack starts to go at him but two cops hold him back.

“Get out of here,” says Lieutenant Kimble. Deerfield is still smiling as he leaves the station.

“You going to put a tail on him?” Jack inquires.

“No,” replies the Lieutenant.

“Why not?” says Jack

With that sinister snarl he gives when he’s mad… and right now, he’s mad as hell.

“Because we don’t have the man power. I’m sorry, Jack.”

“Yeah, I’m sorry too,” he says as he storms out the door.

Joe’s funeral is on a Saturday. Why it is that funerals always seems to be on a Saturday? It was first class all the way, he being a veteran, and full of military honors.

The honor guard played “Taps,” just like in the movies.

He had a real good send off. When the twenty-one gun salute was done, Jennifer squeezed Jack’s arm and started to cry. She really did like Joe and was going to miss him as much as Jack.

Jack comforts her as best he can. He looks up

Across the street and sees a figure of a man who looks like Deerfield.

He turns his head towards Kimble, then looks back but the man is gone.

“What is it, Jack?” Kimble asks.

“Nothing,” he replies. “I thought I saw…” he does not finish his statement. He gathers Jennifer and Sonny and they leave.