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Traci
TRACI SHOVED THE GEAR shift forward and steered Moe’s Delivery truck across Hartwood Avenue and into the Noble Planet drive-through line without stalling out.
“Randall says every woman should know how to drive a stick shift, and every woman should know how to change a tire. And, every woman should know how to grill the perfect steak. That Randall’s got a lot of rules.” She turned to Milo and laughed.
“Yeah.” He stared at her for a few moments and then looked away.
“But that’s okay. I used to put lima beans in my recipe for his favorite meatloaf. He loved it and had no idea!” She giggled.
“You've changed,” Milo murmured without turning to face her.
“No, I haven't. Things have changed. Things are different in my life ... and yours. A lot of things have changed, good and bad. It depends on how you look at it, right?”
“I guess,” he said softly.
Traci ordered Green Glow smoothies for both of them. “Wait.” She turned and looked at him. “You said that I've changed. You're right, Milo. I have. I'm trying to be better and take care of myself. When Randall came into my life, he helped me be a stronger person. But, just because I'm different doesn't mean that things will be different between us. I'm always here for you. I want to make sure you don't get caught up in the wrong stuff out there. You have to remember to do the right thing when it matters.”
“I don't think it matters if you do the right thing, or if you're a good person. If people want to hold you back, they're gonna do it,” Milo looked down at his hands and weaved his fingers together. “And, you can't do nothing about it.”
“You have to try. Look at Randall. He got promoted and he’s set to take over when the Chief retires eventually. And why? Because he's always ...”
“Perfect.”
“No,” she said. “He’s not perfect, but I thought he was pretty close to it. He worked hard for that promotion and didn't give up. I know it looks bad right now with the investigation dragging on, but it will turn around for him. It was a terrible mistake, I know it. He's a good man and a very good cop. We just can’t be together anymore. I don't think I can handle it ...” She brushed her hair out of her eyes. “That whole life, I just can’t.”
“But that's what I'm talking about. It don't matter how hard he tries or how perfect he is, they gonna keep him down. No matter what anybody else thinks about it.”
“Milo, is there something you’re trying to say?” She narrowed her eyes. “Tell me.”
She wasn’t sure what was going on, but she was determined to find out. She gathered their drinks and drove to the small parking area under the shade. She turned off the ignition and faced Milo as he began opening up.
“So, you were never interested in the work Randall does or anything like that. You just needed an excuse to snoop around the police station. You tricked me.”
Milo shrugged and glanced toward her. Then finally met her eyes again. “Maybe I did a little. How else are we gonna find out what happened?” He sipped his drink. “Anyway, I tried but I couldn’t see their faces and I didn’t hear much.”
“But you did hear them say the bullet that killed Josh entered his body from behind.”
“Yeah, that’s right, and it was from a different gun. A thirty-eight something.”
“Then there was no way it could’ve been from Randall's gun. Are you sure, Milo?”
“Yes, that's exactly what they said. They know it wasn't, but they're keeping it a secret from him. The whole report is a secret.”
“But, why? Why would they do that to him?”
“Something to do with the mayor. I don't know. I didn't understand that part.”
“I see. I think I know someone that would understand. Did anybody see you snooping around in there, Milo?”
“Well ... there were cameras everywhere. So maybe they did,” he shrugged again. “One more thing. The one guy said that from the location of the bullets they found, they don’t think the killer meant to shoot Josh. They were aiming at ...”
“Randall?”
Milo scrambled to catch the cup as it slipped from Traci's hand. But he missed and watched helplessly as the golden-cinnamon-green-matcha-whipped-soy latte splashed all over her Chanel knock-off jumpsuit.
