A Bullet Apiece Read Free

slightly.
    â€œI was in J-School before the academy. I did an internship with the
Gazette
,
    and …” He shrugged a little.
    â€œYou were hooked.”
    â€œLine and sinker.” He brightened, happy to complete the expression. I was reluctantly starting to like him.
    â€œWell, if we’re finished, I’d like to see about Miss Reyes.”
    He was business again. “How well do you know her?”
    â€œJust met her today.”
    â€œThis is a police matter now. If we need anything further from you, we’ll call.” He took a card from my desk.
    â€œSure. I just want to see she’s all right.”
    â€œMr. Darvis, let the police handle this. We can do this best without interference from outside agencies.”
    â€œAnd what page of your cadet manual is that on?” I pulled out a cigarette and lit it. When I exhaled he waved a hand in front of his face in an effeminate gesture.
    â€œWe’ll be in touch later in the investigation, Mr. Darvis.” He stood up, pushed his chair in, and put on the soulless sunglasses. I watched him leave without a word and then concentrated on the smoke of my cigarette swirling above my head. Officer High-and-Tight was still outside talking to Miss Reyes. Hell, he was probably asking her out at this point. She was looking shyly away. At the approach of Officer Hamilton, she unfolded her arms and turned her head sideways, as if to hide her tears. The first cop had given her a handkerchief to wipe her face, and she made a gesture to give it back to him. He declined, chest out, all gentleman. This tableau was too pretty for me. I opened my bottom drawer and pulled out the remainder of the scotch.
    While I sipped at a mug, the cops sat in their car and compared notes. I could see the engine was running from the exhaust. Marni Reyes had gone back inside, accompanied by a grey-haired woman. I finished the scotch and then watched the squad car pull away. As they backed up, they both looked my way, stone-faced. Maybe I should put out balloons.
    I waited a minute and then went out the door. Soon, the afternoon pickup would begin, and cars would start lining up. I had a small window to talk to Miss Reyes. A little Sen Sen might not be a bad idea.
    I opened the darkened door to the daycare. Inside it was brighter than I’d imagined. Wide, clean florescent lights hung abundantly from the high ceiling. The walls were all done up in different colors. Immediately in front of me was a cubby with a few little shoes. Next to it, a bulletin board hung with sloppy fingerpaint jobs and smiling suns, blue skies clinging dearly to the top margins of the papers. To my right, a reception desk curved into a yellow wall. A heavy, older woman sat behind it, munching chips and looking at a paperback. The latest Agatha Christie. She looked up.
    â€œYes?” There was demand in her tone.
    â€œMy name is Ed Darvis; my office is across the street.” I searched for recognition in her face.
    â€œMay I help you?” Same tone. I couldn’t tell if it was just me or if I interrupted her book, or both. Maybe it was guilt because she was diving into a big bag of chips.
    â€œI’d like to speak with Marni Reyes. I saw what happened earlier with Mrs., uh, Hanady.”
    â€œJust a moment.” She lay her book down and wiped her hands on a paper napkin. She picked up the desk phone and pushed a button. “Marni? Yes, there’s a man here to see you. A mister… ?” She looked at me again. I made a show of mouthing
Ed Darvis
. She returned unamused to the mouthpiece. “Ed Darvis. Yes. Yes, that’s him. You
will
? Okay.” The receptionist hung up and looked at me incredulously. “Go down this hallway”—she pointed with a finger still greasy from the chips—“and turn into the second room on the right.” She over-enunciated, like I was four.
    â€œThank you.”   I bowed slightly and flashed her a