AFTER a tearful, though not very informative, talk with the Greens, I glanced at my watch and sighed. “You want to grab something to eat before we head over to the school?”
“Will they even be open at this hour?”
I shrugged. “Don’t know. Let’s try it out.”
We drove to the school, where we found they closed early on Fridays. Frustrated, we walked back to the car. Parker pulled out a cigarette and lit it. After the first deep drag, he asked, “You want to get the headmaster’s private address and talk to him there?”
“Do we have another option?”
“I guess not. Let’s stop at the White House first. I’m starving.”
Parker was always starving. I didn’t mind stopping, as I was hungry too. We ordered fries and cheese steak subs and, afterward, large cups of coffee. Parker patted his belly as he relaxed against the back of the booth.
“Don’t you think you’re enjoying the good life a bit too much?” I asked.
“Hey, don’t take away one of my few enjoyments. It’s not as if I have to be in shape to keep my hot young lover.”
I let out an exasperated groan. “There is no lover. You might have a better chance at finding someone without that paunch.”
“You’re so superficial. Whoever gets to be my lover has to look for my inner qualities.”
“You have some?”
“I’m sure there has to be at least one quality. I’m still searching for it.”
I shook my head and tried to hide my grin behind my hand. I beckoned the waitress over for the bill. After paying at the register we went outside to our car. There, Parker made himself comfortable and said, “You think that girl is in real danger?”
“Amaris? I don’t know. I have an uneasy feeling about all of this.”
“Yeah, me too. I doubt the headmaster and the parents will be happy to have us snooping around, especially on the weekend.”
I couldn’t care less. If someone was walking around, attempting to kill innocent people, a small interruption of weekend plans wasn’t such a big price to pay, was it? “We’re off duty tomorrow anyway. We’ll see what information we can gather together today and start fresh on Sunday.”
Parker nodded. “Do you have any plans for tonight?”
“Why? You coming on to me?”
He rolled his eyes. “No, don’t worry. Just thought you might want some company at the Lion’s Den while you wait for your boy.”
“Parker, you’re annoying the crap out of me.”
“Just trying to be helpful here, man.”
“You’re not.”
“Then you won’t mind if I make a pass at him?”
I blinked against a red veil in front of my eyes. Anger and jealousy surged through me so fast it made me gasp. “He won’t take you up on your offer.”
“You sure? He could be desperate.”
No way. “A guy like him doesn’t get desperate.”
“I’ll just have to give it a shot, then.”
“No!” I hollered. An uncomfortable silence followed my outburst. After clearing my throat, I mumbled, “Sorry.”
“Maybe it would be a good idea for you to see him again.” Parker held up his hands placatingly. “Come on, Jeff! That was quite the reaction to my teasing. Just saying.”
I gave a noncommittal grunt and shifted my gaze to the road in front of me. It had been a one-night stand. No more, no less.
I only had to try a million times harder to convince myself.
AT THE station we organized some notes, found out the headmaster’s address and phone number, and attempted to call him. His answering machine informed us he wasn’t there but we could leave a message. Parker left his cell phone number and mine.
“Well, what are we going to do now? There’s no lead, we don’t even know if it’s a real case, and the one guy who could give us addresses and phone numbers is unreachable.”
“How about we call it a day?”
Parker looked at me as if I’d grown a second head. “What’s with you? You’re the workaholic around here.”
“Even a workaholic needs a break from time to time.”
“Aha.”
Such an ominous sound. Frowning, I asked, “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Nothing.”
“Right. Forget it, I don’t want to know.”
“In that case, I’ll tell you. You’re going to look for your lover.”
“Keep quiet,” I hissed. “I mean it. This is none of your business so keep your mouth shut.”
“Whoa. Chill, Woods, will ya?”
“Oh, we’re back to a last name basis already?”
Parker got up grumbling. “Have a good night, Jeff. However you’re going to spend it.”
I felt bad. Almost. Then I remembered how much I hated other people snooping around in my personal life.
After polishing up a report, I powered down the computer, stretched my back, and got my jacket. The ride home was as uneventful as ever and the air inside my apartment smelled stale. I lived on Sunset Avenue, close to Sunset Park, which was nice. I liked the neighborhood, but today the apartment didn’t hold any warmth for me.
My mailbox contained a bill, brochures, and a catalog. I threw everything on the kitchen table and slumped down on one of the two wobbly chairs. For a while, I sat there rigid and stared into empty space. This wasn’t how I had imagined my life would be ten years ago.
I had wanted to make a difference, had wanted to help people and society by becoming a cop. I wasn’t completely adverse to a serious relationship, though I didn’t mind the lack of it. I got my rocks off whenever I wanted. Or at least when the job offered me enough time to spend a few days in New York, partying through the clubs. Hunting for one-night stands became less and less intoxicating until I gave up on it. Mostly.
The last few months had shown me that my life lacked in a certain area. I was tired of coming home to an empty apartment, the TV, and having only myself for company. I still had a few friends left, but most of them had entered the settling-down stage with their significant other. I was the odd man out.
Deciding to end my heartfelt contemplations, I crumpled the brochures in my hand and threw them in the trash. I popped a frozen meal in the microwave and gloomily waited for the ping. The meal consisted of potatoes, a lot of cream, broccoli, and sliced chicken. It would have tasted way better had I prepared it myself. I was a decent cook. I just didn’t indulge in it very often. While I cleaned my plate, glass, and silverware, I vowed to myself to change this fact. At least sometimes. Making resolutions was good for the soul, right?
I wandered from my kitchenette to my sofa in the living room where I flipped through the TV guide. Nothing caught my interest. I got up again, strolled over to my bookshelves, but nothing caught my interest there either. The newest books were almost one year old. Geez! What had I done in my free time during the last year?
I scowled at nothing in particular, only impressed with the urgent thought that something had to give.
A structured, small-stepped plan formed in my mind. Step one: Take a shower, dress in fresh clothes.
When I had accomplished this step, the next one became obvious: Do the laundry. I sorted through my dirty clothes and loaded the machine. While I waited for it to finish, I zeroed in on step three. Take the garbage out, air the rooms, change the linen.
Maybe I suffered from a nasty bug of spring-cleaning?
I stuffed my clothes in the dryer and inspected my apartment. It would have to do, as the spring-cleaning bug had already left me.
Step four: Get out; maybe buy a new book or DVD.
I grabbed my keys and headed outside.