Gray Days and Wicked Ways, page 4
part #4 of Layton Shayne Mystery Series
“No,” Alex said. “If she’s afraid at work then she would’ve quit unless there was a real need for the money.”
“That’s a very good point, Junior Detective Alex.”
Alex smiled. “She’s coming back out, Layton.”
Rocky was in the doorway in front of an older woman, his mother gave him a hug, then went down the porch steps. As she walked, she put her, now loose, long dark hair into a ponytail. She’d changed into tight jeans, a V-neck, long-sleeved, thin, knit shirt, and flat shoes. After waving at Rocky, she got in her car, drove forward, then reversed into her driveway.
“She’s gonna head back our way, get down out of sight,” I said. When she’d passed us and gotten to the end of the street, Alex started the truck and turned it around to head the way we’d come in. “Natasha went left at the end of the block.”
We followed her to a street filled with a mixture of clubs and convenience stores. The queen of the street was a large vulgar mass of color with bright neon lights announcing its presence. Natasha pulled into the parking lot of the building, underneath a brightly colored neon bird on the sign of the club: ‘Boobies Birds’.
“Boobies Birds?” Alex said. “What the hell?”
“Birds is slang for women in England,” I said. “The place has to be a strip club. When you find a place to turn around, do so and park at the convenience store across the street from Boobies.”
Alex spoke as he drove. “Layton, I did get that it was a strip club. However, there are two things I don’t understand. What is Natasha doing there and how in the hell did they get away with naming a place ‘Boobies Birds’?
“Boobies are also a type of bird and I think having neon birds all over the front of the building helps them get away with the name. What do you think Natasha’s doing there?”
Alex put on his signal then got into the turning lane. After a couple of cars passed, Alex was able to turn.
“I don’t know what she’s doing there, Layton. I’m not going to jump to the conclusion she’s a stripper, especially since… well, she’s pretty—very pretty, but not exactly stacked.” He turned into the lot of the convenience store across from Boobies, and parked.
“My thought exactly,” I said. “Who knew a couple of gay guys like us would be astute enough to notice a woman’s breasts?” I smiled. “I’ll be right back. Keep an eye on Boobies Birds to make sure Natasha doesn’t leave.” I smiled then got out of the car and walked into the convenience store.
Taking my time, I perused the aisles of the store and a young, slim man cleaning the drink machines asked me if I needed help, but I said I was fine. I picked up a bag of chips then went to the front counter to pay for them. The older, portly, and bearded man behind the counter gave me the total for the chips and I pulled out my wallet and handed him a five.
“Hey, man, I’m new here,” I said. “Is that Boobies place across the street what I think it is?”
“It’s a titty club alright… a damn good one too. But it’s a classy place, friend, and they won’t let you in dressed like you are.”
“My buddy and I were swimming at our hotel and we just stepped out to grab some chips and see what was happening. Maybe we’ll check out Boobies Birds tomorrow night… if they have what we like.”
“Like I said, it’s a classy joint—no whoring or drugs there… just expensive booze and fine-looking women.”
The young man who’d been cleaning joined the other man behind the counter.
“You misunderstand me, friend,” I said. “It’s just that my buddy and I like,” I looked around to make sure nobody was within earshot. “We like girls with big tits… don’t like wasting our time on the flat ones.”
The older man laughed. “Hell, that makes sense. You want to get the most for your buck. Your buddy and you don’t need to worry. I know the owner and he won’t even interview a girl who doesn’t have a rack in the double digits if you know what I mean.”
“Yeah,” the younger man said. “The Russians own that place and they like their women big.”
I decided to step through the opening the younger guy gave me, and raised my hands in the air. “Whoa now, I’m just a visitor. I like big tits, but I don’t want to risk my life going to a mob joint.”
“Don’t listen to that dumb ass,” the older man said. I’ve known the owner Dimitri for years, he’s got no mob connections. He invested his savings into the place and his brother put in half. You’ve got nothing to worry about. Well, unless you try putting your hands on one of the girls. The bouncers there will throw you out if they just think your hands are even considering doing something.”
“Hey, dude, sorry about the misinformation,” the younger man said. “I always thought Boobies was mob owned because Dimitri is Russian.”
“And because you’re an idiot,” the older man said. “Next time you’ve got a question about something, ask me before you run your mouth.”
“OK, Pops.”
“You’ll have to excuse my son, he’s got my good looks but takes after my wife’s side of the family in every other way,” the older man said. “Boobies Birds has what you’re looking for, just make sure to dress a little better when you go.”
After thanking the man, I left, got back in the truck, opened the bag of barbeque chips and ate one.
“What took you so long?” Alex said.
“I was inquiring about your theory.”
“What theory?”
“Whether or not Natasha was too flat to be a stripper at Boobies Birds. The answer is—she is. But, funnily enough the club is owned by a Russian man named Dimitri.”
“Could it be a mere coincidence he’s Russian?” Alex said.
“Could be. I suppose they could’ve bumped into each other just by virtue of being Russian and shopping for the same foods or going to the same church. But, it’s highly likely there’s more to the story.”
“So, what’s the next step?”
“The next thing is to start the truck and get us back to the inn. Once we’re back in our room I intend to have my way with you.”
“Be serious,” Alex said, then chuckled.
“I am serious. We can’t go in that club dressed like this or without knowing more.”
“But we can’t stop, we didn’t get all the info.”
“We got enough,” I said. “And we’re not stopping. We’ve only just gotten started. I have a client who paid me a whole quarter and I don’t plan to stop until I’ve solved this case… no matter where it leads.”
Chapter 6
Explorers
I WOKE UP TO ALEX nibbling the side of my neck and I moaned.
“Mmm, good morning, babe,” I said, then pulled Alex close to me and kissed him on the lips. “Ready to explore Mt. Ore.”
“Well, I have to shower and take care of business first. Layton?”
“Yeah.”
“This may seem like a strange question, but are you missing Forrest yet?”
“He’s entered my thoughts a few times. Why do you ask?”
“Shannon kind of had me worried the way she talked about how people who’d been near a Diony or a Diony’s significant other would be affected.”
“I don’t think she was trying to worry us. She was telling us what to be on the lookout for, that’s all. This case I took on for Brandon probably keeps our minds from having a chance to dwell on Forrest. We can always give Forrest a call and say we’re checking on Carson Court.”
“No, that’s alright I don’t want to bother him. Layton, what exactly did you tell the people at the convenience store last night? How did you find out the strippers at Boobies all have big tits?”
“Lets’s see,” I said, then sat up. “I think I walked in and said ‘Hey, girlfriends, do those girls at Boobies have big titties?’” I smiled and Alex laughed loudly, then composed himself.
“Be serious,” Alex said. “Do you have to change the way you act or talk when you deal with different people as a detective?”
“A little, but not drastically. A lot of times I adjust my speech or the way I carry myself in order to fit in or to make it seem less like I’m asking probing questions.”
“For example,” Alex said.
“When I walked up to the cashier at the convenience store I said ‘hey, man’, which is slightly more… I don’t know—silly, maybe. When he referred to me as ‘friend’ I used the same word in reference to him. It sort of gives the appearance of familiarity or a quick bond. Like we were old buds just hanging and talking about girls.”
“And that made you seem less like a detective and someone just bullshitting.”
“Pretty much,” I said. “Now if I’d been talking to Lacey, I might’ve peppered my speech with words like ‘fer sure, girlfriend’, or even ‘like’.” I smiled, then tickled Alex’s side. He responded by getting out of bed while laughing.
“I’m going to start getting ready.”
“OK,” I said. If you need a hand with anything just holler.”
We both laughed, and he walked into the bathroom. I turned, reached for my cell phone and looked at the time. It was nine-thirty and I decided to give into an impulse. After hitting a button I heard his voice on the cell.
“Good morning, stranger. How goes it?” Forrest said when he answered my call.
“Good morning, can you talk for a minute or three?”
“Sure, I go into work late today and was just lying in bed… naked.”
“Just picturing that gets parts of me stirring,” I said. “I didn’t wake you, did I?”
“No, I was already awake. I just didn’t want to get out of bed… I was having a nice dream.”
“Were Alex and I in it?”
“Oh, yeah,” Forrest said. “But I have to admit the dream wasn’t quite as good as the reality.”
“Did it tempt you enough to come pay us a visit?”
“Almost. How’s it going there? Are you two getting some quality alone time?”
“Actually, I’m involved in a case.”
“Tell me about it.”
When I’d finished, Forest was silent on the other end for a couple seconds before responding.
“I can see where you felt compelled to take the case, Layton, since there’s a kid involved. We’ve heard there’s some monkey business going on in the area. Some guy trying to become a small time hood, running around with a couple of goons and threatening folks. That guy could be your Jack Baker. I’m gonna make a call later today and see what I can find out for you. In the meantime be careful. And I don’t want to see so much as a hair out of place on our Alex.”
Alex exited the bathroom and gave me an inquisitive look.
“Oh there won’t be a hair out of place on our boy,” I said, then smiled at Alex. “By the way, I’m going to be really mean to you right now, Forrest, and tell you that ‘our boy’ is naked and glistening straight out of the shower in front of me as I speak.”
“I’m definitely jealous… of both of you,” Forrest said. “Are you naked too, Layton?”
“I am, and ready to take a shower and get ready for my day playing tourist with Alex.”
“Have fun.”
“We will. Let me put Alex on.” I held the phone up toward Alex. “It’s our man.”
Alex chuckled then walked over to me and took the phone. I got out of bed and headed to the bathroom. As I closed the door I heard Alex giggling and it made me smile.
IT DIDN’T TAKE long for us to dress in shorts, flip- flops, and T-shirts, and we were soon walking out the entrance of the inn complex.
“Forrest said that if we go left at this next street there’s a good Spanish restaurant named Domingo’s,” Alex said. “He also mentioned another place that serves tasty sandwiches and a great crème brûlée named The Library.”
“Spanish food later sounds good to me,” I said, then playfully nudged Alex’s shoulder with mine.
“This is nice, spending time together alone,” Alex said.
“Yes, it is,” I said.
“Thanks for calling Forrest. It was good to hear his voice.”
“Yeah,” I said. “But, to be honest I did it because I wanted to hear his voice myself.”
We both smiled.
“This is crazy,” Alex said, then smiled and chuckled.
“Life is crazy,” I said, then smiled and blew Alex a raspberry.
A shop on the corner caught our eye and we went inside. They specialized in selling all sort of snow globes. We ended up buying three glass ones. One was for us, another featuring a mother and child was for Charity, and we spotted one with a 1950s style female pinup on a car hood that had Sassy written all over it, so we just had to buy it for her. The shop owner agreed to hold them for us until we were done exploring the area.
We trekked further uphill peering into shop windows as we went.
“I can’t believe my upper thighs are getting sore from this uphill walking,” I said. “I’m getting out of shape. But, and I know I’ve said this before, who would’ve thought Florida would have hills.”
Alex laughed. “My legs are sore too. Flip-flops were probably not the best choice of footwear either, they don’t have any support.”
“But you have such cute toes,” I said, then looked into a shop window and pointed to some metal pink flamingos for the yard.
“No way,” Alex said.
I put on a frown but couldn’t hold it for long before chuckling. “Those flamingos at Carson Court would be enough to bring the ghosts back to run us out of town.”
“The ghosts really would come back to drive us out if you put those in the yard. To change the subject, Layton, I’m sort of surprised you didn’t want to stay around the inn today to keep an eye on Natasha.”
“No need,” I said. “We know where she’ll be tonight and tomorrow night. And I’m more curious to see how she’ll react seeing us away from the inn.”
“I gotcha,” Alex said.
“Have you ever,” I said, then stopped and rephrased what I was going to say. “Do you even realize how much you have me, Alex?”
“I think I do, believe it or not. You’re in a romantic mood today.”
“Yeah, but I did somehow manage to resist the urge to ravish you this morning.”
“Am I losing my touch?” Alex said, then grinned in an exaggerated way and looked at me.
I couldn’t help but chuckle seeing his funny face. “Stop, you’re gonna make my stomach hurt with all this chuckling and laughing. You haven’t lost anything, I just thought we should get an early start exploring the area.”
“I’d love to look at that small lighthouse on the other side of the inn, at some point.”
“Your wish is my command,” I said. “Maybe we’ll have time to look at it later today. If not, we’ll go there tomorrow.”
“Great.”
We continued looking at shop windows and spotted a couple of eateries and bars as well. It was close to twelve when I first realized something was up. Someone was following us. I nudged Alex down an alleyway filled with stores, then turned into a more open space and we found ourselves in front of The Library restaurant. That was when I finally decided to deal with our follower.
Chapter 7
Sniffing out the Truth
I ADDRESSED OUR follower without turning around. “I could smell you the minute you started following us.”
“Are you trying to say I stink, because I did shower this morning I’ll have you know? Hello, Alex.”
When I turned, Sassafras Jones, otherwise known as Sassy was staring my way and blowing on a pinwheel she held in her hand. I looked her over while she and Alex talked. She wore pink capri pants, a sleeveless white shirt with lace trim, and high wedge shoes. In the hand not holding the pinwheel was a large straw bag, probably holding various sorts of weapons. Her black hair was styled in a side ponytail. I never ceased to be impressed with how well she dressed considering it had to be difficult to find clothes for her diminutive frame.
“Sassy, if you’re going to follow me you need to stop wearing my favorite perfume,” I said, and smiled.
“I’m not familiar with the scent,” Alex said.
“It’s Forever Krystle,” I said. “The perfume came out when the show Dynasty was at its height of popularity. I’ve always loved how it smells… and Sassy loves to wear it.”
“You’ve done significantly better than Lucy,” Sassy said, then blew on her pinwheel again. “She didn’t even know I was tailing her while she was retraining Buck.”
“Do tell,” I said, curious.
“We’re standing in front of a restaurant, why don’t you be a gentleman and buy a girl lunch?”
“I can do that,” I said. “But we were in the mood for Spanish food.”
“Mmm… that sounds good,” Sassy said. “Lead the way.”
We headed back down the hill until we arrived at the nondescript front of Domingo’s Spanish Restaurant.
“Good Lord, this was a long walk,” Sassy said. “I was going to say I hope the food is worth it, but just take a whiff.”
The smells emanating from Domingo’s were intoxicating to the point I felt I was floating into the restaurant, rather than walking in. The interior was as plain as the exterior, but it was full of diners except for an empty booth to the left and a table to the far right. The pretty hostess headed our way and I held three fingers up to signal the number of our party, then I mentioned we’d like to be seated in the booth. Once we were seated and after we’d put in our drink orders, I turned my full attention to Sassy, who’d only just put the pinwheel away in her straw bag.
“I’m sure you’re here about the job you want me to do, Sassy, but I have got to hear about the Miss Lucy thing first.”
“Normally I don’t like to gossip, but you know Miss Lucy, so I just have to share. Buck did alright during retraining but someone else didn’t.”
“Not Miss Lucy,” Alex said.
“The one and only,” Sassy said. “I’ve known that woman for years and the one thing she doesn’t like to do is train agents, and Buck is one of her least favorite people. Being ex military, she prefers dealing with other ex military. I think she understands that mind-set better. In any case, she didn’t do a particularly good job training her crew.”
