Page 38 of Paranoia

I edged past him through the open door and said, “Sorry. You look like my friend Chuck.”

The deliveryman just kept walking. But now Trilling and I were inside Antonio Deason’s building.

CHAPTER 56

ROB TRILLING AND I wasted no time in rushing up the stairs to the fourth-floor apartment listed on Antonio Deason’s ConEd statement. There was always a chance he didn’t really live in the apartment. This is what slows down police work—leads that don’t go anywhere. But it is all part of the job.

We didn’t run into any other residents as we wandered down the fourth-floor hallway, looking for apartment 406. We found the door, knocked, then automatically moved to flank it. Tactical thinking isn’t something you can turn on and off. Even for an interview like this, there is always a risk. Too many cops had been shot through doors for me to spend any time in front of one after I knocked.

The door opened almost immediately. The young man in front of us was tall and handsome. I immediately recognized him from his driver’s license as Antonio Deason. His hair was cut in atrendy fashion, and he wore a button-down shirt and nice slacks. He looked more like he was ready to go out for the night instead of lounging around his apartment.

Clearly, we had taken him by surprise. He looked at both of us and said, “May I help you?”

I wasted no time. “I’m Michael Bennett. This is Rob Trilling.” I stuck out my hand to see if he’d shake it. He didn’t hesitate. He looked me in the eye and gave me a firm grip.

Then Deason asked, “And you are …?”

“With the NYPD. We were wondering if you had a few minutes to talk with us.”

He looked at each of us again. “How did you get into the building?”

I didn’t want to give him time to think. “Can we come inside and talk?”

“I have nothing to say.”

“You don’t even know what we want to talk about.”

“Doesn’t matter.”

I said, “We’re just trying to clear something up. We were hoping you might be able to help.”

Deason folded his arms. “Am I under arrest or am I free to go back into my apartment?”

“No, Mr. Deason, you’re not under arrest.”

“Good.” He shut the door, and I could hear the dead bolt slide into place as soon as it closed.

I looked at Trilling and said, “I guess the easy option is off the table.”

CHAPTER 57

KEVIN DOYLE ARRIVED early to his meeting in Central Park. He wanted to make sure he could warm up and stretch a little before he saw Tammy. Although he tried to stay in shape and exercised a couple of times a week, Tammy was serious about it. She was also a little younger than him. He didn’t want to embarrass himself.

It was cool outside, so he wore a sweatshirt he’d bought from a sidewalk vendor over an old Army T-shirt. The gaudyINEW YORKon the front made him smile. He didn’t know why. Maybe because it was so unlike his usual drab clothes.

Doyle strolled to the front of Belvedere Castle, where Tammy had said she’d meet him. He soon saw her jogging toward the castle as he stood waiting for her.

Her smile immediately lifted his spirits. This was one of the best decisions he’d made since coming back to New York. Tammysurprised him by coming right up and giving him a kiss on the cheek.

Then she said, “Let’s go!” And took off in an easy sprint toward the interior of the park. The overcast sky and the fact that it was a weekday meant they didn’t have to dodge many people.

Doyle caught up with Tammy and they started to chat as they jogged along. Doyle kept up a decent pace despite the shrapnel in his left knee. It was like being on a first date. He guessed itwaskind of a first date. He learned that she had her AA degree in biology and was enrolled in City College to finish her BA. He told her about his time in the Army but left his post-military career vague, referring to himself as a consultant who traveled quite a bit. Which wasn’t entirely a lie.

Tammy surprised him by occasionally stopping to do push-ups and a couple of times even pull-ups on the low branches of trees. It was nothing he hadn’t done a thousand times before, but it felt like she was evaluating him. His competitiveness kicked in and he made sure to show perfect form when he did his own push-ups or pull-ups.

Finally, they ended up back in front of Belvedere Castle. They went through a few stretches as Doyle tried to figure out the best way to invite her to dinner. She certainly seemed interested in him. He even wondered if his hotel room was clean enough to bring her back. That was something he should have thought of before he came to the park.

After a few minutes, Tammy said, “I knew you were in good shape, but that was very impressive. Especially for a guy who has to hold down a job. And I think I can figure out what kind of job you have.”

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