Lost Souls by J. Bishop (the giving tree read aloud txt) 📗

Cissy and started drinking too much. Some of the guys got in my face about it, and I got in a few fights. I went to a bar one night, had a one-night-stand, and it turned out to be the Sarge’s wife. Then I punched a fellow officer at work, and got rough with a suspect. Before I knew it, I was fired.” He took a long pull on his beer. “I disappeared for a while.” He eyed Red. “Like I did when my grandmother died. Remember? Just got in the car and drove. I’d stop and drink, sleep in the car, then go somewhere else. It was all a blur. Next thing I remember is I’m waking up in some seedy motel, and my phone’s ringing. It’s Cissy. She’s hysterical, telling me Chad’s dead, and I try and sober up and head out to California.

“What happened between you two at the funeral?” asked Mikey.

Trick hung his head. “It was stupid. We were stupid.”

Mason took a step forward. “Did you sleep with her?”

Trick looked up. “She was upset, and so was I. We snuck out to talk. She told me what happened, and I listened. Next thing I know, I hugged her, and we started to kiss.” He paused and closed his eyes. “After the funeral, she came to see me. I told her it was a bad idea. I knew that as the spouse, she was a logical suspect, but one thing led to another, and we…well…we…”

“Rekindled the romance?” asked Remalla.

“You egotistical jackass,” said Mason. “You slept with her, after Chad’s funeral?”

Trick held his head. “It just happened.”

“Guess what’s going to happen if Bevins and Winkler find out?” asked Remalla.

“I’m surprised they haven’t already,” said Daniels. “Have you seen Cissy since she made bail?”

Mason grunted and Mikey held her breath.

“God, no,” said Trick. “Other than when Red and I talked to her, and…and…I called her.”

“You called her?” yelled Mason, his face furrowed. “When?”

“That night when you were at the bar. She got another phone and snuck the number to me when we talked to her─”

“You stupid motherfu─,” said Mason.

“It was just a phone call,” said Trick. “That’s it.”

Mason grit his teeth, and Mikey worried he might have a stroke. “Do you have any idea what you’ve done?” asked Mason. “You’ve jeopardized her entire case, and you lied to me, and to Mikey. If those detectives find Cissy’s phone, or learn about you and Cissy, which apparently won’t be hard because Carla saw you two together, and Valerie Vain’s been following you.”

“Valerie Vain?” asked Trick.

“What have you done, Trick?” asked Mikey. Her mind whirled, and she had to consider the obvious, and based on the looks Rem and Daniels were exchanging, she wasn’t the only one thinking it. “Did you kill Chad?”

Trick glowered. “You can think whatever you want about me. Yeah, I’m a damn mess, and yes, I’m an idiot, but I did not kill Chad.” He met Mason’s furious gaze. “I swear it on my grandmother’s grave, Red.”

Mikey didn’t respond and waited to see how Mason wanted to handle this. Rem and Daniels didn’t say anything, either.

After a few seconds, Mikey prompted her brother. “Mason, what─”

“Get out,” said Mason. “Get out of my house.”

Trick’s mouth fell open. “Red, you have to believe me. I didn’t─”

“I don’t know what I believe. You lied to me, and to be honest, I don’t know if you’re still lying to me.”

“Red, you know me,” said Trick.

“No, I don’t, Trick. Not anymore.” Mason stepped aside. “Get out. Now.”

Trick’s shoulders and face drooped, and he put his beer down. “Fine. If that’s what you want, I’ll go.” He walked past Mason and headed into the front room and grabbed his keys. “I’ll stop by tomorrow to get my things.” He opened the door and left.

Mikey stood in silence, along with Mason, Daniels and Rem. Mason studied the door for a second before leaving the kitchen. “Mason…” She followed him.

He whirled. “I don’t want to talk about it, Mikey. As of now, I am off Cissy’s case. Call my clients and start booking appointments. I’m back at work tomorrow.” He eyed Rem and Daniels. “Sorry about the interruption, fellas. You guys feel free to finish the dinner. I’m going to bed.” He turned, went to his bedroom, and slammed the door.

Mikey stood in disbelief, staring at Mason’s closed door.

Daniels and Remalla stood in the kitchen, until Rem put his beer down. “Well, I still want tacos. Guess I’ll finish the meat.”

Mikey turned and went into the kitchen. “I can’t believe this.”

Rem grabbed the spatula, adjusted the heat, and stirred. “You want to warm the taco shells?” he asked Daniels.

“Sure. Why not?” Daniels put his beer down, and grabbed the box of shells from the counter.

Mikey tried to think.

“You guys sure know how to throw a dinner party,” said Rem. “This is better than any I’ve had at Daniels’ place.”

Daniels adjusted the oven and searched the kitchen for a pan. “Next time I suspect you of murder, I’ll be happy to invite everyone over, then reveal all your secrets before the appetizers. It’ll be a blast.”

“I mean, what do you two think?” asked Mikey. She sat at the kitchen table. “You think Trick did it? Do you believe him?”

Rem looked over. “Let’s just say it’s a good thing this isn’t our case.”

“And that we like you more than Bevins and Winkler,” said Daniels. He found a pan and put it on the counter.

“You think Mason should stay on the case?” asked Mikey.

Rem and Daniels made eye contact. “He’ll stay on it,” said Daniels. He opened the shells and placed them on the pan.

“Yup,” said Rem. “He’s pissed, but it’s his partner. You always help your partner, no matter what.”

“Yup,” said Daniels. “I’d hold off on making any appointments until Mason cools off.” He pointed at the fridge. “You want a beer?”

**

Watching from her car on the road, Valerie Vain spotted Trick Monroe leaving Redstone’s house. Based on his posture and his stomp across the grass, he