| |
My old brown hound dog Basil and my roommate Sully were sitting on the couch when I got back to my apartment in San Jose. Simple two bedroom standard subdivision. Nothing special.
I slept on the plane so I was just coming inside for a quick shower and change. I didn’t have time to explain my whole trip to Sully.
But I needed to borrow his car so I made with the pleasantries and dis-pleasantries. One list definitely longer than the other. I cracked open a can of wet dog food for Basil. He loved his treat. But he still seemed sad. Like he knew about Lisa.
2 hours later. About 6 pm, I was sitting at my desk. My office was above an old furniture store on Santa Clara St. It had a discreet private alley walk up that my clients loved.
I smoked a J and thought about Lisa. I let it burn to fingertips before I put it out. The CBD was good for the pain I had in my leg. I popped a Norco as well.
I find that weed helps me organize everything in my head. Like the little-multicolored boxes on a Rubix cube.
I tried to think of who would want me dead. A list that long might need two joints. A short series of raps at the glass of my office door jarred me from my stoned pontificates.
I had the spot rigged and wired. I hit a button underneath my desk and the door swung open. Standing there looking like a dream wrapped up in a fantasy was Selina Franks. Her hat tilted off the side of her blonde hair,
She wore a white jacket and skirt set. It was knee length but had a long slit up the side. She wore circle-rimmed glasses hat sat on her tiny nose.
Selina's full-lipped smile was still warm for me. "How are you", she said. Her voice like honey dripping from the comb. I've been better I said. Hope you don't mind the smoke. I motioned her to sit down. I wasn't expecting clients today. Maybe ever again. I said this realizing for the first time I might want to quit the business.
The blonde didn't need any coaching. Lisa was in trouble before she died. she blurted. What do you mean I said suddenly focused. Lisa and Selina worked together at the Mayor's office.
She argued with the Mayor the day before she died, said Selina. I don’t know what about exactly. But I could hear their raised voices coming from behind his closed door. Something to do with the Gold brothers and his ledger. But I can’t be sure.
Lisa hasn’t been herself for a few months Lisa continued. It felt like she was being secretive about her life when she used to be so open.
Selina had a point. I’d noticed the same thing from Lisa the last few months. She seemed to be really vague about work. She seemed to be distant.
So what you are saying is, and I need you to be crystal clear. Could Lisa be the intended victim? She nodded yes. I added the Gold brothers and Mayor Luke Henry to my list. Bobby Young would have to wait for now. It was time to hit the streets.