Page 92 of My Rock Star Neighbor
“I didnotknow that.”Nick leans down and kisses my forehead.“Later.”
The rain ceases, and we put away the umbrella.And now the snake is weaving in and out down the street, the dancers holding its body and making it come alive.
Pommer leans to whisper something in his wife’s ear.That’s so endearing.Except that…he’s leaving.
“He’s on the move,” I say.
“He’s leaving his wife with four kids at a parade?”Nick asks.“She must be a superwoman.”
Between our disguises and the sheer multitude of people, it doesn’t seem like he’ll see us following him.It’s slow going for all three of us as we duck in and out of people pressing to get closer to the parade.Periodically, a popping sound splits the air as someone releases a popper, and confetti shoots out.Vendors hawk confetti tubes, snake stuffies, and other goods.
Lion dancers are prancing down the street.One seems to take great delight in blocking me from following Nick.He thinks I’m dancing with him, when really, I’m trying to dart around him.And I’ve totally lost Pommer.Where is he?
There he is!Back in my line of view, Pommer turns the corner.Nick and I reunite and run after him.
I stop at the street corner where he turned and peer around the side.There’s a loud pop, and I almost jump.Confetti hits my head.
“He’s ducking into one of those illegal betting parlors!”I say.
“Do you think he has financial problems?”Nick asks.“That would give him a motive.Especially with four kids in New York City.”
“We have to catch him in the act.I can’t just assume,” I say.
“Let me go in,” Nick says.“You might have to take off your sunglasses inside.”
“Okay,” I say reluctantly.“But text me what’s going on.I’ll be in that bookstore next door.They have a backyard, and maybe I can see something from there.”
“You really know this city so well,” Nick says.
“At least this part, having grown up on the Lower East Side,” I say but can’t quite hide that I’m pleased I impressed him.
“I’ll keep you updated,” Nick says.He disappears into the illegal gambling den.It’s poorly disguised as a baby store called Good Luck.The window has a bassinet and diapers and other things you’d need if you had a baby, although not with that fine layer of dust.What gives it away is that almost everyone entering is elderly and male.Unless it’s where the grandparents buy gifts, it’s a gambling den.
I enter the bookstore next door and wave hello to the woman behind the counter.“Is the garden open?”
“It is today,” she says.“But all the chairs are wet.”
I hastily buy a hot chocolate so I can use the café seating and hurry outside.
Nick:He’s meeting with Inspector Demoraux!
Nick:I took a photo for you.
Nick:Pommer and Demoraux going outside to the back garden.
The wooden fence between the two backyards is tall and doesn’t give any view of the adjoining garden.Thankfully, nobody else is out here with the rain.I creep along the fence and stop when I hear the two men talking.I sit in the nearest chair.I can hear their conversation better than I expected, but I missed the beginning.
Pommer asks, “Is she investigating?”
Who isshe?
Demoraux says, “She is.”
Me to Nick: Ican hear them clearly.You don’t have to get close.
Pommer speaks again.“How did she figure out that you were negotiating for slots for Ophelia in exchange for fixing tickets?”
Demoraux says, “I don’t know.”
