Time of Death

18

Ren dialed Daryl Stroud’s direct line at Catskill PD. It took a while for someone to pick up.

‘Daryl?’

‘This is Detective Reed. Lieutenant Stroud is not in his office right now.’

When Caller ID attacks…‘My name is Ren Bryce. I believe some of your detectives searched my parents’ home this morning? I just got off the phone to my devastated mother and she told me that you had found a T-shirt belonging to Louis Parry in my brother’s room.’

‘That’s correct, ma’am.’

‘And were you one of the detectives there at the time?’

‘Yes, ma’am.’

‘Well, you have made a huge mistake.’

‘I’m afraid not, ma’am,’ said Reed. ‘The T-shirt was where we were told it would be.’

‘By whom?’ Ren’s volume shot up.

‘A person who called in the tip.’

‘So this T-shirt,’ said Ren. ‘Would that be the one Louis Parry was wearing the day he went missing…’

Silence.

‘Yeah, I thought not.’

‘It was not that exact T-shirt,’ said Reed, ‘but it did belong to Louis Parry. We have photos of him wearing it. His family also identified it.’

‘Think about that for a second,’ said Ren. ‘What’s the scenario? My brother gives Louis a piano lesson, takes off his T-shirt and sends him home bare-chested? Or he asks Louis to ask his mom could he bring an extra T-shirt to piano class? Or, let me see, he jumps over seven garden fences and takes it from Louis Parry’s washing line…’

Silence.

‘What do you think, Detective?’ said Ren. ‘Seriously. Let me help you out, here: someone is setting my brother up. That cold-case deck hit Rikers with major publicity. So I’m guessing you have a sheriff, a mayor, up for re-election? You have a new cold-case department that needs a collar? Or someone somewhere has a personal vendetta against my family. Or maybe some sick fuck in your department did it-’

‘Or maybe your brother was a-’

‘Don’t you fucking dare,’ said Ren. ‘You are either ignorant enough not to notice that you are being played by one of your colleagues. Or you are ignorant enough to think you have the right man for this crime. Either way, you are a fool.’

She hung up. She stretched out her arms and laid her head down on the cool glass of the table. The door opened behind her.

‘Ren, I got that tape in from Billy Waites…’ said Robbie. ‘Do you want to watch it? It’s all set up.’

Ren’s voice echoed off the glass. ‘I like the way you just ignore that I’m splayed out on the table here.’

He paused. ‘Yes. Is everything OK?’

She pulled herself up. ‘Look at that-’ She pointed to a smear on the table. ‘That is my makeup. Gross.’ She wiped her sleeve across it.

‘Your makeup isn’t greasy.’

‘Hmm,’ said Ren. ‘Maybe only when its mixed with the venom seeping out of my pores.’ She stood up. ‘Give me a hug.’

‘Sure.’ Robbie put his arms limply around her and gave a quick squeeze.

‘Just what I needed,’ said Ren. An antiseptic embrace to counter the venom.

She went into the AV room with Robbie and sat down in front of the video player. Ren took the remote control and pressed Play. There were a lot of shots of Billy Waites from behind. And out of the crowd, eventually, came the handsome face of Gavino Val Pando. The bar was busy, people pushed in front of him, he was not very tall, so it was difficult for him to get served. When he did, he held the drinks above his head and retreated to the booths opposite the bar.

‘There,’ said Robbie, sitting forward. He pointed to two booths further down and a table with the two teenage girls.

Ren and Robbie watched as more time elapsed, people came and went. And before long, one of the girls was sitting next to Gavino.

‘Well, they look like they’re having a good time,’ said Ren. She pointed to other parts of the room. ‘Look at these little tramps. Gavino and his girl look quite sweet.’

Ren hit Pause. ‘I presume this is one of those “and the cock crowed three times” things…’

Robbie glanced at her. ‘If you’re asking me is she one of the ones who denied his existence, yes, ma’am. Her name is Jessica Ellerbee.’

Ren leaned closer to the screen. She pressed Play. Jessica Ellerbee stood up. ‘Well, she looks totally wasted,’ said Ren. ‘Maybe she really didn’t remember him. But…I doubt it. I don’t think a teenage girl is going to forget a cute guy like that. A night in the sheriff’s office is a different matter. But, all I will say is: tough. I’ll go talk to her.’

‘OK.’

‘And look,’ said Ren. ‘Here she is, back from the ladies’ room. And who’s helping her on with her jacket? Gavino. And they’re walking to the door holding hands. What a little gentleman.’

‘Do you think this Jessica would have any information that’s going to help us?’

‘I think there’s a possibility the two may have dated,’ said Ren. ‘Even for a little while. So she could know where he is. What we just saw didn’t look like a sleazy encounter that was going to end up in a one-night stand. Or am I being naïve?’

‘Actually, that encounter ended with them both being taken into the sheriff’s office.’

‘Oh yes. I forgot that part.’ Because watching Billy Waites on screen completely threw me.

‘If we show Ms Jessica that tape, she’ll talk.’ Ren pushed back her chair and stood. ‘And we can find out if she’s had any contact with Gavino Val Pando any time recently.’

‘Great,’ said Robbie. He got up and left.

Ren rewound the tape and paused it at the clearest shot of Billy Waites: the broad shoulders, the toned arms, the Diesel ass.

I miss Billy Waites. Even the back view. Or…especially the back view.

Ren popped the tape out and stood, holding it, her mind drifting.

Who am I kidding? She turned off the light and walked into the hallway. I miss Billy Waites: the inside view.