“I hear you had a wonderful time Friday night,” Ralphie greeted her as he set a glass of Glenfiddich on ice down in front of her. Cam hadn’t been in on Sunday or Monday but she was early to meet Nick on Tuesday.
“At that party with Nick? I’ve had better times.” Cam smiled.
“No! The weekend with Miss Sonya!” Ralphie laughed.
“Where did you hear about that?” Cam asked. She hadn’t realized that word would get out that fast. She’d finally found her way home early Sunday morning after Sonya swore she had to finish her work.
“Ah!” Ralphie winked at her. “Sonya was in for a minute last night. It seems that her meeting with a client went well, even though she had to stay up all Sunday night to get her plans done. I really didn’t expect to see you for a couple more days. You never take a break, do you?”
“If you mean, did I get any sleep, I slept all day yesterday.” Cam didn’t mention that she’d gone into town to meet with Pauly and Maggie to report on the party she’d attended with Nick and give Pauly the names of some people to check out for her. “I also had grocery shopping to do.”
“Oh! That’s why I didn’t see your bike when I walked past your place on my way in yesterday afternoon.”
“Are you keeping tabs on me?” Cam asked. Thank the powers that be that she’d added why she’d been out.
“No!” Ralphie winked. “I just see it there every time I come to work. When it isn’t there, usually you’re in here.”
Cam made a mental note to leave her bike in front of her building when she had to go see Maggie or Deems.
“Well, I do have a life between here and my apartment.” Cam shook her head.
“And here and Sonya’s?”
“Well, that’s still to be seen.’ She sighed. “Her place is magnificent! I could get real used to living like that.”
“Yeah, it’s beautiful! I’ll never have enough money to live half that well.” Ralphie set the bar towel down and went to serve a customer at the other end of the bar.
This neighborhood is smaller than I imagined, Cam thought. It seemed like the rumor mill around here was nothing to play with. She’d have to watch every step, every word. You’d never know who was watching or listening and word seemed to travel rather quickly.
Cam took a sip of her drink and sat back to watch the clientele. Was she going to tell Maggie that she’d done the cocaine that Sonya had carefully chopped and lined out on her glass-topped bed-table? Or should she keep that to herself until she saw how much of the stuff was available? No, keep everything to herself until she knew a little bit more. Why just report it in bits and pieces and run the risk of someone getting too itchy to make a bust. Keep it to herself until she had it all together. Maybe then she could protect the minor characters in this scenario and get right to the top.
The front door of the restaurant swung open and Nick and Sonya walked in. Seeing Cam at the back of the bar, they walked up to her and both gave her kisses; Nick’s on the cheek and Sonya’s on the lips.
“Well, it seems you were the hit of the party…at both parties!” Nick greeted her.
Cam smiled into Sonya’s face. “Seems like it.”
“Did you get good sleep yesterday?” Sonya asked. “I’m sorry if I kept you so busy this weekend.”
Cam glanced at the floor, a little embarrassed by Sonya’s statement.
“Are you ready to talk shop?” Nick asked, ignoring Sonya’s innuendo.
“Whenever you are.” Cam redirected her thoughts to why she was here: to talk with Nick about the job.
“Let’s sit at a table so that we can iron this out,” Nick said, indicating an empty table near the back of the restaurant. “I think we’ll get enough privacy over there.”
“I’ll go talk to Maurice and leave you two to your business. I’ll be back in a little while.” She reached out and touched Cam’s arm. “Don’t leave without me.”
Cam slid down off her barstool, picked up her drink and followed Nick back to the table. He held a chair out for her and waited until she was seated properly before taking his seat across from her.
“I was wondering how long it was going to take Sonya before she seduced you. She was fairly determined about looking for the right opportunity.”
“She’s the one that wanted to know what my relationship with Maggie Thomason was.” Their first interview made more sense now.
“Well, she usually gets what she wants no matter what barriers. Your breakup with the doctor just made it easier.”
“I see.” Cam nodded. “How fortuitous.”
Nick sat back, his eyes riveted on Cam. “How did you feel about the first half of Friday evening?” he asked.
“It was a little strange,” Cam admitted, “but it was workable. Did I really live up to your expectations?”
Nick nodded. “Want to do it again?”
“If I did what you were looking for.” Cam smiled.
“Very much so. I go to these parties about once a week, sometimes more. Do you think you could do that? We’d have to make it appear that we’re an “item.” But I’m sure that Sonya could bring you back to reality after each one.” Nick sat back. The smirk on his face told Cam that he was pleased with the fact that Sonya and she had become involved.
“Yes, it’s doable. I’ll need to know more about you in order to make it look like we are “involved” but it’s definitely workable. I would like to know what’s happening, though. I hate being surprised.”
“I can understand that. I can’t tell you everything but I’ll keep you informed of all the necessities as they arise.” Nick glanced around the room.
“I can’t protect you if I don’t know what to look for, Nick.” Cam was adamant
“I can’t tell you everything; it’s not my place, but I’ll tell you what I can. Maurice and I also own a food import business. It’s sort of a family business. We import stuff from all over the world. There are a lot of folks out there that think I should share the contacts. I can’t and I won’t. It’s all business. Whoever is on top gets the prize. I want the prize and I’m willing to lie, cheat, or steal to get it. No one gets in my way. I’ve spent too much time and money working on these contacts. I won’t give them up.”
Cam sat back. “That’s all it is?” she asked.
“No,” Nick continued. “The mayor has been getting death threats…and those extend to me as part of my position with the mayor. There have been a lot of things happening. Councilman Bradford had a car bomb explode in his driveway a few weeks ago. We don’t know who to trust.”
Then trust no one, Cam thought. Out loud she asked, “Was anyone hurt in the explosion?”
“His driver saw the bomb and pushed the car out of the garage before it went off. He got some shrapnel in his arm but that was about it.”
“Very lucky guy!” Cam exclaimed. “Is that one of the things I’d have to do? Push your car out of the garage?”
Nick gave an acerbic laugh. “I wish that was the only thing I had to worry about.”
“So how much are you offering for this job of protecting your butt?” Cam asked.
“Let’s say that what you got Friday could be doubled each week, if we’re talking full time.”
Cam thought it through. “What do you mean by full time?” she asked.
“On call, whenever I need you. Let’s not beat around the bush here. I need someone I can call on whenever I need them. I never know when clients will want to talk or there has to be a meeting. I just need someone available. Do you have other commitments?”
“No.” Cam shook her head.
“I felt very good about Friday night. Do you want more money? More clothes? What?”
“I may need more clothes if that’s how you want me to look, but the paycheck sounds fine. I’d sure like to be able to afford a better apartment than the dump I’m living in.”
“That can be arranged, too. There’s a lot of things we can work on. We’ll see how it goes.”
“Do you want any kind of contract? Or anything like that?” Cam asked.
“No.” Nick shook his head. “I seldom put anything in writing. Saves a lot of hassles. We can seal it with a handshake if it would make you feel better.”
“Then I think we have a budding relationship.” Cam nodded her affirmation.
“Excellent!” Nick reached out and they shook hands. “I know Sonya will be very happy. This may turn into a great business deal.”
I sure hope so, Cam thought, but not the way you’re looking at it. If your business is just making a few minor deliveries and importing food with some politics mixed in, I may have to be out of here very soon. But if there’s more happening, this might be your biggest nightmare.
* * * *
The phone rang several times before a soft voice answered.
“It’s me,” Michael said first when Clare answered. “How are things there? Is everything all right?”
“Michael! It’s good to hear from you. Everything’s fine here. When are you coming home?” Clare picked up the phone and sank onto a kitchen chair. Hopefully Michael would want to talk more than just the few words they’d spoken the last time she’d called.
“Were there any messages?” Michael asked without answering Clare’s question. She’d called Cam’s number twice in the past few days but there was never an answer.
“No, none. It’s been really quiet around here,” Clare lied. She knew that Cameron had called two or three times but she wasn’t going to deliver any messages from Michael’s other girlfriend.
“All right,” Michael sighed. “I may have to stay here another week. I’ll let you know.
“Is everything all right there?” Clare tried to sound very concerned.
“I just have more business to do. I’ll call when I’m coming in.” With that, the phone went dead.
Clare looked at the phone in her hand, then placed the receiver back in its cradle. Sometimes Michael didn’t seem worth the effort.
* * * *
Pauly called late that night.
“How are you doing?” he asked.
“Pretty good,” Cam admitted. “That party on Friday was really a head trip.”
“You’ll have to fill me in.”
Cam chuckled. “And I found out something really interesting after that.”
“Like what?” Pauly immediately wanted to know.
“I ran into that Sonya woman at a gay bar!”
“You’re kidding,” Pauly exclaimed. “I thought she was Nick’s girlfriend. What’s that about?”
“It seems we made a mistake about that. I’m not sure what their connection is.” Cam lowered her voice even though she was home alone.
“Anything else? There’s something in your voice…I don’t know…Did you get laid?”
Cam laughed heartily. “What makes you ask that?”
“I can hear it in your voice. I’ve known you too well and too long to miss something like that.” Pauly laughed with her.
“Well, you got me there. I guess you do really know me too well. I need to see you,” she said. “Can we meet at that coffee shop where Roger got those burgers?”
“Sure. I’ll be there in a half an hour if the traffic’s okay,” he answered, sounding like his usual self. The phone went dead.
Cam went downstairs. Standing on the sidewalk in front of her building, Cam looked up into the sky. The lights of the city made it almost impossible to see the stars but one or two got through the city smog. It was such a nice night she decided to walk the four or five blocks to the coffee shop. A stroll through the streets of the city would be a good way to get familiar with this part of town.
She got to the coffee shop before Pauly was expected to arrive, but she went in anyway and got a booth at the back. It was busy for this late at night. Teenagers, college students mainly, were milling in and out of the shop. Some were camped outside where they could smoke comfortably. Some of them were sitting in the booths inside. Still some others were carrying food, drinks, messages, and other things not so legal back and forth between the two groups. It was hopping with all sorts of night people. The distinct smell of reefer rose from one of the outside groups.
Cam sat back and watched. She loved doing that. It always amazed her that people were so blatant about their drugs and so carefree about the consequences.
A waitress walked up to her table.
“Coffee?” When Cam nodded, she put a heavy mug on the table and poured hot coffee into it. “Can I get you anything else?”
Cam ordered a cheeseburger and fries, then sat back to watch the customers again. Her order arrived and she had eaten almost half of it when Pauly strode in.
“Hey, girlfriend,” he said, sliding into the booth. “What’s up?”
“I was just watching these kids in here,” Cam whispered to him. “Do they even suspect that there are DEA people around? Do they care?”
Pauly turned around and scanned the group near the door.
“No to both questions. They don’t have a clue,” Pauly imagined. “Half of these kids have been busted before but they don’t care. It’s live for the moment. They’ll go to jail, then they’ll get out and do it all over again.”
“When did you become such a cynic, son?” Cam grinned. “It doesn’t sound like the Pauly I knew. Whatever happened to the Life Liberty and the Pursuit of Whatever You Want guy you used to be?”
“Well, things change,” he admitted.
“It must be because you’re in love. How’s it going?” she asked.
“Not so well. I guess I’m not the type of guy to settle down into marriage.”
He looked up as the waitress stood beside their table. He ordered coffee and apple pie.
“Apple pie, huh? And you don’t believe in the American Dream,” Cam ribbed him.
“So sue me.” Pauly shrugged. Cam could feel some tension in him.
“What’s up with Roger?” she asked.
Pauly took a sip of the coffee that the waitress had placed on the table in front of him, then pushed it back to let it cool off.
“I’m just not cut out for this relationship thing, I guess. We’re beginning to get on each other’s nerves.” He bent his head forward to whisper, “Some of it’s money stuff. I know he has a good job but he never has any money. I don’t know what he does with it. I can’t be paying for everything.”
Cam frowned.
“Well, son. Relationships take time. Some work; some don’t.”
“Yeah, but this one had such promise!” Pauly sighed. “I was hoping that…”
Just then, one of the teens came running into the diner.
“We need to call an ambulance,” he sputtered, out of breath.
“What’s wrong?” the cashier asked.
“Jamey is going into convulsions; he’s in a lot of pain.” That said, the young man rushed back outside to his friend.
Pauly was on his feet. “I’ll see what I can do until they get here,” he said, flashing his badge at the waitress. He went out into the street where a large crowd of street kids were gathered as their friend convulsed upon the sidewalk.
“Let me through.” Pauly pushed his way through the crowd. He bent down over the young man, who looked to be about seventeen. “Anyone have a jacket or something to put under his head so he won’t hurt himself?”
One young man stepped forward, shedding his sweatshirt, and Pauly carefully placed it beneath the kid’s head. He was still twitching.
“Did any of you see what he was on?” he asked the crowd.
Most just shook their heads and backed away. The show was over.
“Didn’t anyone see what he took?” Pauly tried to get some response.
The remaining kids just shook their heads, except for one young woman who came up to him.
“Can he get in trouble for this?” she asked, watching her boyfriend convulse there on the ragged sidewalk.
“Not likely, but the person who sold it to him is in big trouble,” Pauly responded, trying to make sure that the boy wasn’t choking on his own tongue and that his airway passage wasn’t blocked. “Do you know where he got it?” he asked.
The young girl just shook her head and turned away. Chances were that everyone on this street knew exactly where he’d gotten it.
Cam, who’d followed Pauly as far as the front door, looked down at the sidewalk. Pieces of foil, plastic bags, and even minuscule traces of white powder were up and down the sidewalk. They could be seen clearly in the glow of the streetlight.
“The ambulance should be here in a minute. Johns Hopkins is just up the street; they’ll probably take him there.” The cashier came up behind her shoulder to look at the scene in the street. “I try to get them to stop but they never listen. At least they know they can’t bring that stuff in here. I don’t know what else to do.” Her frustration clearly showed. “I don’t even let my own kids come down here. This whole neighborhood is going down the tubes.”
Cam nodded. “I know the feeling. I lost a brother to stuff like this,” she said quietly.
“And we’ll probably lose a lot more before this stuff is cleaned up. No matter what the mayor says, Baltimore is just as dirty as it was when he took office.”
Cam watched her walk back to the cash register. I’ve got to get busy finding the source of this drug, she thought. And I definitely have to avoid discussions on politics with the neighbors.