Page 22 of Paranoia

Walter came out from his office and plopped into the chair next to my desk. Sometimes I cringed when he did that. I didn’t have faith in that wooden chair holding up to someone Walter’s size dropping into it so heavily.

Walter said, “I found everything on Deason’s ex-wife. She died of cervical cancer in Miami about six years ago.”

Ever since my own wife passed away from cancer, I always flinch on the inside when someone tells me about a cancer death. Immediately, I wondered about the son, who would’ve still been ateenager at that time. I saw firsthand what the trauma of losing a mother could do to children. And I was right there with them the whole time. What did this kid do with his father already dead?

Walter said, “I found some records on the son, Antonio. I couldn’t find any photographs anywhere. It looks like he was at the University of Miami and was renting an apartment in Coral Gables until about five years ago. Since then there’s almost no record of the young man. It’s a pretty good mystery.”

“A mystery I think we should unravel if we’re going to dig deeper into this case. These retired cops were connected to the Land Sharks and working in the Bronx. Plus, you said a couple of Deason’s thugs also died recently. That can’t be a coincidence.”

“You think it might be some kind of revenge?”

“Who knows? Could just be some kind of business arrangement that someone needs to expand their territory.” I paused and considered other options. “We’ve seen crazier motives. This one might have an almost cinematic quality. A son waits for years to get back at the cops who put his father in prison? Sounds like a movie I might watch.”

Walter said, “Not me. After experiencing all these bloody homicides up close by working here with you guys, I only like comedies and musicals. And I’m happy to sit through most Disney movies with the girls. ExceptThe Little Mermaid.”

“What’s wrong withThe Little Mermaid?”

The big man shrugged. “I don’t know. She just gives me the creeps. What’s the difference between a sea creature on land and an alien from outer space? It just freaks me out. It always has. Every time we have a body wash up in the Hudson, I get a little nervous. Who knows what a crazy-ass mermaid might do.”

I had no answer for that.

CHAPTER 34

ROB TRILLING TRIED not to be obvious when he turned in his seat to get a view of Mariah’s ex-boyfriend, but he didn’t want to give the guy the chance to smack him in the head when he wasn’t looking. Mariah’s eyes stayed on the ex as he stopped right next to their table. He wore an expensive-looking sport coat over a T-shirt and jeans. Rob wondered if he was trying to dress up the casual clothes or dress down the sport coat.

The ex eyed Rob a little longer than necessary. Then he put on a fake smile and said, “Hey, Mariah. What’s going on?”

“Hi, Timmy. This is Rob.”

Timmy didn’t say anything, so Rob stood up and offered his hand. Timmy took it hesitantly. He mumbled, “Nice to meet you.” He was a couple of inches taller than Rob, maybe six foot two, and a good thirty pounds heavier. All of it muscle. Timmystarted to squeeze Rob’s hand a little tighter in a show of dominance.

Just as the pressure started to get intense, Rob subtly twisted his hand, so he didn’t have to jerk it away in pain. He didn’t like where this confrontation was going.

Timmy said, “What do you do, Rob?” Something about his tone hit Rob wrong.

He said, “I’m a trust-fund baby.” That seemed to take Timmy by surprise.

“That must suit Mariah fine.” Timmy took some time to assess him. For his part, Rob had stepped away from his chair just in case he needed to use his fists or feet.

Then Timmy looked down at Mariah but kept speaking to Rob. “I hope she treats you better than she treated me.”

Without thinking, Rob said, “I hope I treat her so well she doesn’t need to treat me badly.”

Mariah said, “Timmy’s a bouncer at the Sixth Floor Club.” It was an awkward warning. Rob had already realized this guy would be a handful.

“Never heard of it,” he said.

Timmy said, “Maybe you should get out more. But not with her.” He tried to stare Rob down. When that didn’t work, Timmy made a show of removing his coat.

Before he had the coat off his shoulders, Rob tripped him and shoved him into a chair. He took another chair, slipped it off the ground, and wedged it down Timmy’s back so he could neither get the coat off nor remove the chair. He floundered like a turtle on his back.

Rob looked at Mariah and said, “We should go.”

As they hurried down the sidewalk together, they could hear Timmy yelling, “You mother …”

Rob had to laugh out loud. Mariah was giggling as well.

Mariah said, “You have a nice laugh.”

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