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Marti s giggle on the other end sent his stirring body further up the scale of need
before her words plummeted it back down to zero.  I got up this morning fully intending
to tell you what I started to say at the pizza place; about the interviews. Well, when I
found the place empty, I got distracted with other things and I just now remembered
again. I thought you should know so I called.
 I completely forgot. What did you find out? he asked, all irritation gone with
acute interest taking its place.
 That old couple, Mr. and Mrs. Kolowski, remember them? They live in the
second story apartment across the street from the alley where the latest Jane Doe was
found. Anyway, when I sat down with Mrs. K, and really questioned her, she
remembered something I think is significant. She told me that the hooker who was sitting
on the doorstep down the street was exceptionally tall, Marti said, in a rush of words.
Before Jake could comment, she continued,  Well, I know that, from their
apartment, the perspective is squirrelly, at the very least. So, I walked down to that
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doorstep and sat down. Mrs. K watched me. When I went back, she told me that the
woman she saw looked much taller than I did while sitting in the same place. Remember
I told you the person who wrote on your door was very tall? I think that hooker may have
been our killer in disguise. What do you think? Marti ended in a breathless voice.
Jake took a moment to absorb what Marti was saying before he commented.  I
think you may have something there. It never occurred to me that he might use a disguise,
or that it might actually be a woman, he added, surprised at the thought but not
discounting it out of hand.
 Do you have something to write on that s handy? Marti asked.
Jake glanced at the mess or papers and debris scattered over the counter but
couldn t find a pen or pencil. He reached into the pocket of the suit coat he d hung on the
back of a barstool and felt around for the pen he usually kept there. He pulled it out,
along with the flyer from the Brass Ass. When he had it flattened on a cleared spot of the
counter and the pen ready, he said,  Okay, what do you want me to write?
 Two things: first, get an artist to Mrs. K and have he or she do an artist s sketch
of that hooker. Second, we need a timeline. In the file you have for this killing, you do
have time stamps or entries on events, don t you?
 We do for as much as we know but there are always guesses and gaps. Why do
you need these things? Jake asked, genuinely intrigued with Marti s line of thinking
while scribbling the items down and wondering where it was going.
 I ll tell you when I get there tonight. I m driving down to take a look at a house
I m thinking of renting. I have an appointment for four so I ll come by your place earlier
than that, if it s okay with you.
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193
 Sure. Come around 1 o clock and I ll take you to the Rib for lunch, Jake replied
with a knot of anticipation forming in his lower abdomen.
 Okay Jake. See you then, Marti responded before hanging up.
Jake hung up the phone and picked up the sheet of paper. He scowled at the old
lady s name and phone number from the Brass Ass before re-reading the two items Marti
had dictated. He picked the phone up again and put in a call the Bureau s switchboard in
the city. When a female voice answered, he requested and got, the name and number of a
sketch artist. Jake wrote the information below Marti s list before he hit the disconnect
button and dialed the number. The phone rang twice before an answering machine kicked
in with its tinny-voiced recording. While he listened to the inane recording and waiting to
leave his message at the beep, Jake played with the flyer, bored and distracted. When he
flipped it over and casually scanned the list of sale items, his hand froze on the phone. At
the bottom of the flyer, with a big red graphic of a kiss beside it, was the name,
manufacturer and price of a special lipstick; one that contained mint.
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194
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
December 31st
6:15 P.M.
 I thought you said Marti would be here to celebrate New Year s Eve with you,
Sue said while refilling Jake s coffee cup.
 So did I, he explained before picking up the cup and taking a cautious sip.  She
called and said she was running late and couldn t stop. She was looking at a rental house
and probably got caught up in the color scheme or the wallpaper. You know how women
are, he joked.  So, I'll be spending the evening going over case files, by myself, and
eating a sandwich for my dinner. Which reminds me, why were you closed last night? I
came by around six but your place was locked up. That s not like you, Sue, Jake teased.
An uncharacteristic blush stole up her neck and flooded into her cheeks.  We& I
mean the chief and I, we had an appointment, she replied with a nervous tic moving at
the corner of her mouth.
Jake leaned both elbows on the table, cocked his head and plastered a
conspiratorial smile on his face.  And?
She stammered,  Ah, hell, Jake, I can t tell you. It s too personal. Besides Russell
and Amanda would kill me if I told you.
 Russell? You and the chief with Russell and his girlfriend? Now, there s a story
and a half, I ll bet, he teased.
A look of fear flitted across her features.  Russell and Amanda&  Sue began
before the bell on the front door stopped her.
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195
Russell, bundled up to his nose like an evil henchman and Amanda, dressed in
functional clothing that would make a Nazi proud, strode into the Red Rib and stopped
dead in their tracks when they heard their names spoken. Russell eyed Jake with distaste,
took Amanda s arm and ushered her to a booth far in the back of the café.
Jake laughed.  Well, you ll have to tell me the dirt later Sue. He checked his
watch.  I still have several hours of work to do tonight. He stood, reclaimed his coat and
moved to the door.  Night all, he shouted before going out the door.
***
9:00 P.M.
Tigger s Tiger Den, on the south side of town, boasted the biggest beers and big-
busted women in town, both at a cheap price. Jake sauntered inside the dark, smoke-filled
bar with an attitude of watchful pleasure. It had been many years since he d been in a [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]