Hanging Time

67

April left Block’s apartment and stopped at a pay phone on the street to try Milicia Honiger-Stanton’s number again. At least the woman had gone home at some point. Her answering machine was back on. The voice on the machine told April this call was important to Milicia: “Please leave the day, date, time, and purpose of your call, and I will get back to you as soon as possible.”

It did not sound promising, but she left a message anyway.

The woman who answered the phone at Milicia’s office told April Ms. Honiger-Stanton wasn’t coming in. She had called in sick that morning. April figured Milicia was home and just not picking up. Her apartment was not far away. April decided it was worth going over there to find out.

The building was right near John Jay College, behind Lincoln Center. It was big and plush, with marble floors and carpeted hallways. The surly-looking man behind the desk said Miss Stanton wasn’t there. The name on his uniform was Harold.

“Do you know when she went out?”

“Are you a friend?”

April flashed her shield.

Harold examined it skeptically.

“Cop?”

“That’s what it says.” April smiled. “So, about what time did she leave?”

“Uh, she walked the dog at about eight o’clock. Then maybe half an hour later she went out.”

“She has a dog?” April started to sweat again.

“Yeah, cute little thing. Poodle, I think it is. What’s this all about? She not picking up its poop, or something?”

“Yeah, something like that.” April paused for a new thought. “Does she ever wear big loose blouses, long skirts, and big floppy hats?”

“Nah, not her. She’s got it, she flaunts it. Never seen her in pants neither.”

“Thanks.” April turned to go.

“You wanna leave a message?”

“No, I’ll come back later.” She looked at her watch and wondered if Mike was back from his hospital visit.