“I know you were pretty nervous about Internal Affairs taking over our investigation, but it turned out okay, didn’t it?” CC asked, stroking Cashew who was sitting contentedly in her lap. She and Gwen had come home for dinner and a much needed break.
“Yeah, I was praying I would keep my cool. I was sure we were going to be tossed off the case, but it worked out great. I’ve heard nightmares about IA ripping the cases out of the investigative team’s lap and screwing them up royally. But Fred seems like a pretty decent fellow.”
“I heard somewhere that Barzak took over the position about two years ago and really cleaned house,” CC remembered.
“Then I guess it’s not like it used to be. I’m dying to see what he comes up with on the wiretaps. Those guys are the scum of the earth. There’s nothing worse than a crooked cop.” Gwen couldn’t help but show her disdain.
CC nodded her agreement. “I nearly clapped my hands when he told us to get in Wright’s face!”
“Yeah, that was great,” Gwen agreed. “Let’s just go to The Dive tonight and plan on visiting Tina’s Pub tomorrow, okay? I think I’ve had enough drama for one day.”
“Sure. That sounds good. You need to lighten up a bit though, hon. And I think I know just what you need,” CC said impishly.
Gwen finally smiled. “We do have plenty of time.”
* * *
Gwen felt determined as ever about the homicide cases as she drove to The Dive. Talking things over with CC had helped ease her mind and put her thinking back on track.
Gwen discovered when she arrived that most of the regulars hadn’t heard about Amy’s body being found. The press must not have picked up on it nearly as quickly as they had the others. Out of respect for Ben, she told him as delicately as possible. Jimmy and TJ were close enough to hear.
“Damn shame all them girls died for no reason,” TJ said sadly.
“Sure would like to get my hands around the neck of whoever done them in,” Jimmy agreed.
“Guess we kinda figured Amy wouldn’t be found alive,” Ben added, wiping a tear from his eye. “’Specially since the other two was already found dead.”
“I just know the police have to be putting everything they’ve got into finding the killer, Ben. Mark my words, they’ll get him,” Gwen said soothingly.
“Won’t bring ’em back though, will it? I miss them all. Like I said, my customers are my family.”
“You have other family around here?” Gwen asked, trying to change the subject.
“Parents are long gone. My dad was a no-good rotten son of a bitch anyway. Beat up on my ma plenty. My mom was a saint… went right up to heaven couple years back of cancer. I’ve got two brothers, but they split from these parts as soon as they could. I dunno, maybe went to the west coast. Haven’t heard from them in years. Never even came back when Ma died. How ’bout you, Gwen?”
“I had one brother who died in the service. My dad died when I was a teenager, and Mom’s in a nursing home…she has multiple sclerosis and is bitter about life in general, and especially toward me since my brother died. Like it was my fault he got blown up or something, I never could figure it out. I don’t get out to see her very often. We weren’t that close to begin with,” Gwen admitted.
“You need to go see your mom, Gwen. Make peace before it’s too late,” Ben said softly.
“Yeah, I suppose. I will one of these days soon. I promise.”
“There you go, girl! Now go beat some butt at that dart board.”
“You got it.”
CC was talking with some of the pool players and Gwen joined her when she was finished. They had another beer together, celebrating their progress on the investigation. It was nearly one a.m. when they arrived home, and were greeted by two very happy and perky dogs. They walked hand in hand to the park, talked, and let the dogs sniff every few feet of the way. After three a.m., they finally fell exhausted onto the bed and were asleep in each other’s arms in a matter of minutes.