The tip of his knife’s blade dug the last of the police officer’s blood out from under Sanders’ fingernail. He sat in the borrowed sports car outside of the coffee shop. His contacts were able to at least tell him where Miss Delaney worked. There was no blue Rabbit parked anywhere on the block that he saw. He wasn’t surprised. He didn’t believe in luck and Divine Providence played no role in his life. Still that didn’t mean that the information was useless.
He slipped the short, sharp blade into its sheath. It now looked like part of his buckle. He fished a different badge case from a hidden pants pocket. The Peterson identity was probably compromised or it would be if Winston came to. That particular loose end would be tied up soon enough though and he had several contingency plans. He exited the car and walked across the street.
The café was modest and at the moment was largely empty. Through the large bay window he saw an attractive young redhead. Innocence seemed to shine like a beacon from her face. That could be used. He walked briskly through the door to the noise of a small chime.
Susanna looked up from her magazine to see a large blond man in a dark suit enter E-brew-lience. Her first thought was of the men that graced the front of the bodice rippers that her Mom read. Silvered glasses with large lenses gave him an almost alien countenance and it would have been cold except for his mouth. He had full lips set into a slight and welcoming smile. She smiled back. “Welcome to our little slice of Heaven. My name’s Susanna. What can I get you?”
Sanders flipped the badge out and back in a practiced maneuver. “Hi Susanna. My name’s Detective Barker. I’m with Homicide and we’re investigating Matthew York. It’s my understanding that the owner of this shop is an acquaintance of his, one Robin Delaney.”
She paused. “Well Detective Barker.”
He held up a hand. “Call me Steve.” The smile cranked up a notch.
“Steve. I know that she and Matt know each other. He comes… came in here all the time. He’s a really sweet man.” She realized that she was blathering.
“Easy, Miss?”
“Call me Susanna.” She felt herself blush a little, warmth crawling up the back of her neck. He smelled really good.
“Susanna it is. Easy Susanna, Matt is certainly a person of interest in our investigation, but we’ve turned up some evidence and we’d like to speak to Miss Delaney.” He pulled a small notebook and pen from an inside jacket pocket. “Susanna, what’s your last name?”
“Pope. So you think Matt might be innocent?” Her face brightened. That would be great.” She muttered a bit to herself. “Maybe this is what they need”
He put down her last name. “Well Susanna, there’s something else that’s really important. We also feel that the person responsible might be looking to get to him through her. We think she’s in grave danger. I was hoping that she’d be here so we could warn her.”
“Oh no.” The worry was plain on her face. “Well I’m not sure where she is. She said she was going to run some errands and I got the impression that she might be done until tomorrow some time. Can I get you a cup of coffee? It’s on the house.”
Sanders nodded his head. “Sure. Would you know where she was going?” He stood poised to take her answer, though he expected nothing useful.
Susanna’s face fell. “No.” She slid a thick walled mug full of the house blend to him. Steam escaped from it, letting off a smoky, rich aroma. “She’s a pretty private person when she’s away from the shop.”
He sipped at the coffee and drank deep of the young lady’s beauty as well. Light blue jeans hugged her hips and thighs. A white cable knit sweater did a little to accentuate her upper body, but pink lace was hinted at underneath. Of course that didn’t do as much for him as the thought of how red her blood was and what her screams might sound like. “I understand. Would it be too much to ask to look at her Rolodex?”
“Well, I hate to think that she might be in danger. I can give you her cell. It’s 555-6329. And if you hang on a sec I’ll go get her address book.” Susanna turned and walked back to the little office just off the kitchenette. She had felt his eyes crawl over her even through those shades. A creepy vibe had replaced the initial attraction she had. Still he was a cop and she wanted to cooperate.
Robin’s desk was immaculate and a pinnacle of organization. Finding her little address book was easy. She grabbed it up and walked back out. She noticed that Bobby, the only customer in the place was gone and at first couldn’t see the Detective. Then she heard the toilet flush in the small public restroom they had. The big blond man came out and walked down the length of the counter. “Here it is.” She handed the blue leather bound booklet to him.
He took it, his hand brushing hers. Her skin was warm, but the look on her face was unmistakable. It held a mix of fear and a little disgust. He slipped the book into his jacket pocket and lowered his hand to finger his belt buckle. “Thanks Susanna. I appreciate your help in this matter.”
Susanna thought about protesting his taking of the book. She thought that maybe he would just look at it here, but after feeling the clamminess of his touch she just wanted him out of the shop. “Anything that will help Robin.”
“There’s one other thing that you might be able to do for me.” He took off his sunglasses with his left hand and reached out to touch her jaw line with his right. He caressed it, moving his hand down her neck and feeling the pulse there.
She tried to move, but those eyes held her. Her brother kept a pet snake when they were kids and used to feed it live mice. Right now she felt like one of those feeder mice, entranced by fear, knowing that the next few minutes might be her last.
Behind him the door chimed. “Sorry I’m a bit late Suze.” Came a deep voice.
Sanders dropped his hand. He saw a look of relief flood her face and turned. There stood a young man, almost his height, but a bit broader. He wore a Chicago Bears jersey and moved with an athlete’s grace. His skin was almost pitch black and his hair was shaved down to stubble.
“Zach!” Susanna was so glad to see him. The feeling of dread lingered like the last of a morning fog, but she couldn’t for the life of her remember why. The last two seconds after handing over Robin’s book lost completely. “Zach, this is Detective Barker. He says that Robin’s in trouble and is looking for her.”
Zach stuck out his hand and the Detective shook it. He swore he saw this guy touching Susanna’s face and that didn’t sit well with him. Nor did the look that he saw her give him. “Sir.” He gave a firm double pump and released his grip. “If she’s in trouble I hope you can find her. I’m sort of fond of all the ladies here and would hate for anything bad to happen to any of them.” There was some sort of threat under there for anyone that went looking.
It amused Sanders more than a little. He was certain that he could take this youth apart with little difficulty, but it would be messy and loud. He didn’t have time for either. “Me too, Zach. Believe me, if we catch the bastard who’s after her I’d love to let you have a crack at him.” He turned to Susanna. “Thanks for your help young lady. I’ll let you know if I find out anything.” He tossed a wave to them both and left the shop. The book in his pocket, her cell number, and a few hours work should be enough to track her down. With her in his grasp it would be easy enough to find the boy. Who knew, after all was said and done he might have time to return and explore the depths of what sweet Susanna had to offer and to see just how fair that black boy would go to protect his friends.
