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We were on our way back from Kentucky when I got a text from Zainab, asking to meet up. Thankfully for Kingsley’s sake, he hadn’t been turned into glue and was actually living a pretty nice life in a sanctuary. Nice for a horse, anyway. Kingsley had spotted Leesha as soon as we’d driven by. He’d been eating hay or whatever the heck they eat, when he’d lifted his head and locked eyes with her. He’d bounded over and she’d waited by the fence for him. They’d shared a moment, and then pop went the Leesha. I swear Kingsley bowed at me before he went back to his food.
I swear it.
This is why I avoid animals like the plague.
I wasn’t too far out at this point, so we agreed to meet up at the park, right where Leesha’s vigil had been. George stayed in the car while we had our girly chat. To be honest, I was wondering if I’d find a dead body. There wasn’t much lighting, but I used my cell to look around for any blood splatter. Couldn’t see a single drop. Tamara must’ve lived.
Probably.
Zainab came prepared. She had a miniature bottle of champagne and two plastic cups.
‘Should you be drinking?’ I asked as I took a sip.
‘Should you?’
Touché.
We gingerly touched glasses and toasted.
‘To Leesha. May she find a hot babe in Heaven.’
‘Hear, hear.’
We drank and stood awkwardly, neither knowing what to say.
‘Is she still here?’ she asked, looking around. For what, I don’t know.
‘No, she’s gone. For good.’
‘Wow. That’s it. It’s really final. I have to say, it was amazing what you did. Tamara thrives on her image. The whole world thought she was a caring mom, encouraging her daughter to be the best. I did, when I first met her.’
‘Leesha didn’t tell you?’ I frowned.
‘No. I had to guess. I’ve seen that a lot in abuse cases, though. The abused never see themselves as victims. They always make excuses and defend their abuser. After a while, things stopped adding up. I could see that something wasn’t right. It was when she ranted to me about her art dreams that it all came out. Then, after that, it was like she’d forgotten. She went back to thinking of her mom as everyone else saw her. It broke my heart. And I also wanted to yell at her a lot.’
‘Why didn’t you?’
‘Would that have made me any different to her mom?’
‘Of course,’ I replied. I didn’t even need to think about it.
‘Maybe,’ she hedged. ‘I don’t know, maybe it would’ve changed things if I had. Or maybe, her mom would’ve killed her, anyway.’
‘Do you know what happened after I left? It looked like she was about to get murdered herself.’
Screw it, I had to ask. If Tamara was dead, then so be it.
‘Yeah, that’s what I was hoping for, but it was kinda disappointing. She just walked back to her car, and the crowd chanted “murderer” after her. Then, everybody went their separate ways. It’s all over everywhere, though. I searched Leesha’s name an hour ago and that was the first thing that popped up. I doubt she’ll get arrested, but like you said: we all know.’
And sometimes, that was enough, you know? In a perfect world, all killers would be in jail or dead themselves, but it doesn’t always pan out that way. I had a feeling that Tamara would try and weather the storm, and if that didn’t work out, she’d leave. To go abuse somebody else, no doubt, but that’s life. There’s little I can do here, guys. I’d love to tell you that she eventually met her maker in a horrific and torturous way, but she didn’t. As far as I know, she’s still alive and well. No happy endings here, folks. If there were, I wouldn’t be telling you this story in the first place.
‘What happens now?’ Zainab asked.
‘What do you mean?’
‘What will you do? Where will you go?’
‘I think I’m gonna head home and eat a load of candy bars.’
‘I meant after that,’ she smiled wryly.
‘After that, I’m going to bed. Been a long day.’
She gave me a look that screamed disappointment, not unlike the ones my father tends to give me.
‘Really? You’re not thinking of college or a career or using... this?’
Ugh, she sounded like my careers advisor at school. Being completely average at absolutely every subject, she’d been at a loss what to do with me, especially since I’d offered her no help in that regard. She’d halfheartedly suggested teaching.
I’d thanked her for her time.
‘None of those seem like options to me, if I’m honest.’
‘Look, I know it can seem scary to take the plunge, but it’s worth it. Believe me. I wanted to be a lawyer, but with my criminal record, I was told that it was a long shot at best. I’d be better off giving up and doing something else. But I didn’t, you know? I kept at it. I got an internship at Bridle’s, and they’ve agreed to hire me once I become a fully-fledged lawyer.’
‘Congratulations,’ I told her. Still not for me, though.
She eventually understood that I wasn’t about to share some random dream with her, nodding at me.
‘Alright. I’m gonna head back home. It’s been a crazy few days. But keep my number, okay? You might need me in future.’
‘Sure, when I stumble upon another dead guy, I’ll-’
‘Not that. I meant you.’
‘How’s that?’
‘I know you’ve had trouble with the cops in the past. I’m saying, if you need somebody to defend you, think of me.’
‘Thanks, I appreciate it. I already have a lawyer, though. Plus, I’ve never been convicted yet,’ I said, mentally applauding myself. ‘I might be crazy but that’s not against the law.’
‘I didn’t mean dead people. I mean you,’ she said again.
Apparently I was missing something.
‘What?’
‘Can I be blunt?’ she asked.
I shrugged. Knock yourself out.
‘Seeing ghosts isn’t the only rumor I’ve heard about you.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘People talk, Ann. Cops come into our office all the time. They talk about you. Six months ago-’
‘Okay, I’ve heard enough. I’m gonna go. Thanks for your help.’
I could not hear about that again.
‘You’ll need me, Ann,’ she yelled to my rapidly disappearing back. ‘I know that mistakes happen, just like it did with my uncle. I can defend you. You can’t run from this forever.’
Who the hell was running? Seemed to be every single day I heard about that incident. All it did was bring up memories of Tommy.
And that reminded me that they may have been fake.
I needed to tell George, stat.
‘Talk about much?’ he asked as I got back to my car at lightning speed.
‘No. Nothing. But I need to tell you something,’ I blurted out.
‘Uh-oh,’ he braced himself.
‘When Rathers called me the other day, I asked about Tommy Perez. Do you remember him?’
‘You mentioned him once or twice,’ he said dryly.
‘Well, I mentioned him to Rathers.’
‘And?’
I got stage fright. I couldn’t say it, I’d look crazy.
‘He’s alive?’ he guessed.
‘No! Just the opposite, in fact.’
His brows furrowed as he pondered the opposite of “alive.”
‘You already told me he was dead.’
‘Okay. Clearly, I’m not explaining this properly.’
‘Nope, I’m with you on that one.’
Here goes. I was saying it out loud, and I was going to look insane.
‘Rathers said he’s never met a person called Tommy Perez.’
He did not appear to be shocked at all by that statement.
‘Right,’ he only said.
It was then that I remembered that he’d been thinking this a few days ago. I hastened to defend myself.
‘I’m not crazy!’ I screeched. He jumped. Okay, if anybody ever finds a way to say that without looking crazy, lemme know. Please.
‘Do you know what precinct he worked at?’
Oh, good question. If I knew that, then I could easily go to the station and ask about him.
‘No.’
But, I did not.
‘Do you have a picture of him?’
‘No.’
‘And you’re the only living person to ever meet this guy,’ he concluded.
‘I’m not crazy,’ I said through gritted teeth.
‘Okay,’ he said in a calming tone. ‘What do you know about him?’
Lots of things. I knew he had a wife and wanted kids. I knew he wanted a promotion but things were tough at work. He worked long hours, and it caused arguments between him and his wife. I knew her name was Pilar. She came from a big Argentinian family and wanted that for herself. She didn’t speak much English so she stayed at home. It depressed her, being alone all the time, especially in a foreign country. He tried to make it up to her by bringing her roses home. They were her favorite flower.
I knew him. And at the same time, I knew nothing about him.
‘We talked for hours,’ I said. Not really an answer to anything.
‘Okay, so give me something concrete, Ann. Think of yourself as a lucy. What would you be asking yourself?’
Evidence.
‘We met at the same place every week, outside Baskin-Robbins. It was on his beat.’
‘Great, so he was wearing uniform. If you can recall any distinguishing features on it-’
‘He wasn’t in uniform,’ I said.
I can’t explain the look George gave me. Look, I know how this all sounds, alright? I can hear myself talk. I’ve raked lucies over the coals for less. But, I never questioned it. What do you want me to say? He was in uniform the day we met, when he caught me breaking into a house. He wasn’t in it any time after that. I mean, I never said he was on duty. I just said that it was on his beat.
So, sue me.
‘Where is this Baskin-Robbins?’ George asked.