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THE NEXT DAY, DEE FOUND Lisa standing outside the interrogation room of the police station. They exchanged grins as Dee rushed inside.
Armando sat at the table with his head low and hands entangled.
He reminded Dee of a rat cornered with a broom, and she loved every minute.
“This is turning out to be a great day so far.” Dee sat down across from him, and Lisa remained by the door. “Imagine my surprise when Lisa told me they arrested you.”
Armando jerked in the chair, sticking his neck out like a turkey. “Detective Swanson said you were suspended.”
“I am, and my black ass would be in even more trouble if my superior knew I was here.” Dee winked, beaming. “But, I don’t give a damn. I’ve been waiting for this.”
“This is a joke, right?” He lifted his head, his glasses tilting to one side. “You can’t question me when you’re suspended. You can’t even hold me here.”
“We can hold you.” Dee reclined in the chair. “You have a warrant for an unpaid parking ticket.”
His face twisted. “You’re using this as an opportunity to pin that profile on me. I didn’t do it, and that’s the last thing I gotta say about it.”
“You lawyering up?” Lisa sat beside Dee. “Is that what you’re saying?”
“I’m saying I didn’t do this.” He pounded his fist against the table. “What do I have to do to make you believe me?”
“Explain the pictures on your phone, Armando,” Lisa said. “We have legal access to it now so we have the proof.”
“I’m sure a smart guy like yourself erased those pics and the record of you calling me as soon as you found out we’d seen your phone.” Dee snickered. “But our tech guys can find traces of information no matter what you try to do.”
“And we’ll be getting your phone records.” Lisa winked. “You can’t erase those.”
“Armando.” Dee leaned forward. “This is not a game. Cyberbullying and harassment where you put someone’s reputation and safety at risk is a big deal and you can do time.”
“You still don’t wanna talk?” Lisa asked.
Dee snapped her fingers at him as lifted his head again. “Explain why you had those pictures of me on your phone.”
“You know what?” A sadistic smile crept across his lips. “I don’t know what I saw in you. You’re a bitch.”
“I might be,” Dee said. “But your ass is gonna be in jail if you don’t talk.”
“Don’t do this, Armando,” Lisa said. “Make it easy on yourself and confess—”
“Fuck you.”
Dee sat back, chuckling. “You have balls after all?”
“Yeah, because I didn’t post that profile. No matter what you found on my phone it doesn’t prove anything.”
“So you’re admitting you had Dee’s pics on your phone?”
He rolled his eyes, tightened his hands together. “I got nothing more to say.”
“Fine.” Lisa went to the door and called a uniformed officer in. “Take Mr. Urena back to his cell and make him comfortable. He’s gonna be there for a while.”
“Unless he talks,” Dee said.
Armando grumbled as the black, male officer pulled him from the table and took him outside.
Lisa closed the door. “I’m sorry, Dee.”
“What are you sorry for? We know he did it and we have his ass.” She cackled. “Did you see how scared he was? He’s trying to play tough but being in jail will straighten him out.” She looked at her watch. “I bet he’ll be begging to speak to us before the day is through.”
“He seemed kinda convincing didn’t he?”
“What do you mean?”
“You think he’s telling the truth?”
“Lisa, he had the pictures on his phone and proof he called me. If he didn’t do the profile who did? It’s too much of a coincidence.”
Someone knocked on the door, and Lisa answered it to a busty, female officer.
“Lisa, I...” The officer batted her eyes at Dee. “Dee, what are you doing here? You’re suspended.”
“Sh.” She held her finger to her lips. “I’ll be gone in a second. Don’t tell Salinger I was here.”
“Actually I was gonna tell Lisa to relay a message to you from Salinger. Great news, Dee. Salinger got in contact with the website and they’re taking the profile down as we speak.”
“Yeah!” Dee and Lisa shouted in unison.
“This is great, Dee.” Lisa hugged her.
“Thanks for telling us,” Dee told the officer.
“Glad everything worked out.” She left.
“Man, this is a great, fuckin’ day.” Dee swung around. “I’m so glad to have that profile down. Now life can get back to normal.”
“You’re still suspended though. If anything you should get an award for hitting Connie.” Lisa grinned. “Lord knows I wanted to do it.”
“Forget Connie and Armando.” Dee put her arm around Lisa. “I’m so happy this shit is over and Armando’s ass is in jail so I don’t have to worry about him anymore.”
Lisa kissed her cheek. I’m so happy for you.”
“We’re gonna celebrate tonight, girl.” Dee grabbed Lisa’s hands. “We’re going to the Barbecue Shack. My treat. You, me, Winston, and bring Jake too.”
“Sounds good.” Lisa danced in place. “It’s over, Dee.”
“Yep,” she howled. “It’s all over.”
****
“LISTEN, EVERYONE,” Dee yelled over the loud patrons of the crowded restaurant that night. “Pick up your cups.” She lifted her drink. “I wanna make a toast.”
With sticky hands, Lisa grabbed her cup and smiled at Jake who sat next to her, licking barbecue sauce from his lips.
“To friendship,” Dee said. “If it hadn’t been for you guys supporting me through this, I never would’ve survived. Lisa, you always got my back when I need you.”
“I always will, girl.”
“Winston?” Dee nudged him with her elbow.
They’d been exchanging grins and stares since everyone arrived, and Lisa found it impossible to ignore and as hard to tolerate.
“Winston, you helped me even when I didn’t deserve it.” Dee smiled at him. “It means a lot you care. You always said it, but now I know it’s true.”
Lisa cleared her throat as she chewed a French fry.
Winston rubbed Dee’s shoulder. “Let’s put the past behind us.”
What does that mean?
Lisa shifted in the wooden chair.
“A new beginning is good,” Jake said.
“Does that mean you and Winston will become friends?” Dee teased.
The men glanced at each other.
“Let’s not go crazy, okay?” Jake said.
“Yeah.” Winston wiped his mouth. “Don’t think Jake and I will ever be best friends.”
Dee beamed. “You never know.”
Jake smiled. “Glad that mess is over, Dee.”
“Let’s toast.” Dee reached over the table and bumped cups with everyone. “Isn’t this barbecue killer?” She grabbed another rib from her plate.
“Definitely.” Winston chewed rib meat. “Gotta get all into it, Dee.”
“I’m too cute to eat like a pig, now.” She picked her rib up in dainty fashion.
“Come off it.” Winston laughed. “She knows she doesn’t eat like that.”
Jake laughed and Lisa faked a grin, hoping no one could tell how hard it was for her to see Winston and Dee connect.
“I hope you get to come back to work soon,” Winston said. “I miss you.”
Dee dabbed her mouth. “I miss you guys too.”
Lisa smiled and bit off a piece of rib.
“Lisa, pass me the ketchup.” Jake reached his barbecue-stained fingers over her food.
“Don’t.” She grimaced.
“What?”
“Don’t point your nasty hands over my food.”
He scoffed. “Excuse me?” He got the barbecue sauce. “Nasty hands? Usually you’re begging for my ‘nasty hands’. Something wrong?”
“No.” She tried to listen to Dee and Winston’s conversation. “Just losing my appetite.” The delicious barbecue suddenly tasted stale.
“This is supposed to be a celebration.” Jake poured sauce on his links. “Your temper’s been kinda short. On your period?”
She stared at him with her mouth open.
“What?” He chomped on the link. “I was just asking.”
“So I was thinking,” Winston spoke low to Dee. “Maybe you’d like to finish our evening since Grayson ruined it. You still wanna come to my place and see my art?”
He invited her to see his art?
Lisa squeezed a rib until sauce covered her palm.
That means she’d be in his bedroom.
“Lisa, you’re making a mess.” Jake wiped her hand. “What’s wrong with you? You’re supposed to eat the rib not strangle it.”
She threw the limp rib in her plate.
“Let me think about it, okay?” Dee said in response to Winston’s invitation.
“Is something wrong?” Winston asked her. “Did I do something?”
“No, I just need a breather.” Dee sipped punch. “I need to make sure I understand what this is.”
“We’re friends, Dee.” He smiled, chewing. “That’s what it is.”
“Give me a break,” Lisa mumbled.
“Huh?” Jake smacked in her ear.
“Nothing.” She reached for her drink and looked up as Rayne squeezed through the long line.
Men let her cut while women threw glares of death at the magnificent blonde.
“I don’t believe this,” Lisa said with her lips on the edge of her cup.
“What?” Winston looked in the direction she did. “Whoa, okay.” He leaned up. “Who is that?”
“Rayne.” Jake wiped his mouth. “What’s she doing here?”
“You know damn well what.” Lisa slammed down her cup. “She planned this.”
“Who is that?” Winston stared at Rayne with his mouth wide open.
“That’s Rayne Jessup.” Lisa sighed. “Jakes new massage therapist.”
“Massage therapist?” Winston licked sauce from his bottom lip. “I got something she can massage. Where do I sign up?”
Dee hit his arm, snickering. “I can see why she pisses you off, Leece. I couldn’t have a woman like that around my man every day.”
“She doesn’t hold a candle to you, Dee,” Winston said.
Lisa growled under her breath.
“She doesn’t hold a candle to Lisa either.” Jake kissed Lisa’s cheek, leaving it sticky with barbecue sauce. “She doesn’t have to be jealous.”
“For the last damn time I’m not jealous.”
“Is that why smoke’s coming from your ears, Leece?” Dee grinned, chewing. “It’s human nature for a woman to be jealous around a woman who looks like that.”
“I don’t care how good she looks.” Lisa pushed her plate away. “She’s bad news.”
“Let’s just forget she’s here.” Jake drank from his cup.
Rayne waved at them as she walked toward the table.
“Shit,” Lisa said. “She’s coming over.”
“Hello.” Rayne held her purse in front of her. “How’s everyone doing?”
“How are you?” Winston stood with his hand extended. “I’m Detective Winston Lewis. I haven’t had the pleasure.”
“Rayne Jessup.” She took his hand. “Big strong handshake you got there, Detective.”
“Thank you,” he said in a flirtatious tone.
“Heel, Winston,” Dee said. “I’m Detective Dee Quarter. I’m Lisa’s partner.”
“Nice to meet you.” Rayne shook her hand. “Hi, Jake.”
“Hi—”
“What are you doing here?” Lisa asked.
“That’s some welcome.” Rayne stopped smiling. “Not that I’d expect anything different.” She smiled at Winston. “Lisa doesn’t like me very much. She doesn’t trust me.”
“You got that right,” Lisa said. “Why are you here?”
“It’s a free country, right? I come here all the time. I love barbecue though I can’t eat too much.” She caressed her hip. “Gotta watch the figure.”
“You aren’t the only one watching it.” Winston’s gaze followed her curves.
“Winston.” Dee poked him with her elbow.
“I’ve never seen you here,” Rayne remarked.
“We’re celebrating something with Dee,” Jake said. “I’m glad to see you out and about. All work and no play is not good for anyone.”
“I’m taking your advice. I’m trying to be more social and meet people.”
“Honey, trust me.” Winston ate a French fry. “You shouldn’t have any problem finding friends.”
Lisa glared at him.
“I stay to myself, and I don’t trust many people.”
“You seem to trust Jake,” Lisa said. “You say you’re not that social but you sure clung to him quick.”
“Lisa, stop it.” Jake grabbed her hand. “Enough.”
“Jake is nicer than many people I meet.” Rayne exhaled. “Anyway it isn’t the time or place for arguments. Have a good evening everyone.”
“You too.” Winston squinted as she walked away. “Poetry in motion all day and every day.”
“Winston, you’re not helping,” Dee said. “Lisa, are you okay?”
“She followed us here.” Lisa held in a tiny belch. “I know it.”
“Just let it go.” Jake threw his napkin on the plate. “Please.