Brooklyn's Song (12 page)

Mattice smiled and said “Hello” when he walked by her.

Song stood with his hands in his pockets when she approached him. Brooklyn reached and ran her fingers through his hair and caressed his cheek. He brushed his lips against the palm of her hand. She moved in closer and said, “I’ve missed you so.”

“There are surveillance cameras in here,” he whispered.

“I know … And yet…I still would like to kiss you.”

“Ja-gi-ya .”

“For goodness sakes, kiss her already!” Mattice shouted.

Brooklyn and Song turned and Mattice and a few police officers were standing in the doorway.

Song felt his cheeks redden and Brooklyn laughed.

One of the officers tapped Mattice on the shoulder. “Pay up Mattice; you bet five dollars that he would kiss her.”

Mattice begrudgingly pulled his wallet out and handed a five dollar bill to the officer.

Brooklyn leaned in and quickly gave Song a peck on the cheek and said, “See you later.”

“Not so fast,” Song said.

He wrapped his arms around Brooklyn, leaned her to the side and gave her a long passionate kiss, like a scene out of “Gone with the Wind.”

Everyone in the room stood silently, including Brooklyn, with wide eyes and mouths agape while Song smiled confidently.

“Sorry pal, you lose,” Mattice said, taking his five dollars back.

“Hey, we’re all meeting up at Annette’s tonight. It’s a little bit of a dive, but it has the best pizza, beer and wings in the state. I hope to see you there,” Mattice said.

“As far as I know, I don’t have any plans.” She looked over at Song. “We’ll be there.”             

After Brooklyn and the officers left the room, Mattice said, “Come on, Song, you almost cost me five bucks. But man, when you do it, you do it up big.” Mattice was still in shock.

Song seemed distracted. “We need to talk; I’ll meet you at the Taurus in ten minutes.”

“Sure, I’ll see you there,” Mattice said, with a puzzled looked on his face.

Chapter 43

Song and Mattice sat inside the Taurus. He filled Mattice in on Hunter’s accusations against the governor.

Mattice traced his hands over his mustache. “Song, this is some serious shit! Are you saying that for whatever reasons the governor hired Jerry to kill his fiancée? That doesn’t make sense.”

“Mattice, I ran Jerry’s financial records; unless he has a rich uncle or he won the lottery, the day before the shooting his bank account grew by five thousand dollars. The FBI is looking into where the money came from. I hope it’s not true, but I’m willing to bet the governor paid him.”

“All we have to do is follow the money trail. You know we’ll have to keep this on the down low. There’s no way in hell Lieutenant Phillips is going to go along with this. Do you really think he knocked off his first wife?”

“I don’t know; I’m trying to get my hands on the case file. I’m using a contact I have in the FBI to get a look at the polygraph that the governor failed,” Song said.

Mattice looked over at Song. “You know if we pursue this, there’s no turning back.” Mattice hesitated. “People can get hurt.”

Song stared out the window. “You mean Brooklyn? I really hope I’m wrong about the governor; she’s been through enough and…”

“And you’re falling in love with her,” Mattice said solemnly.

Song turned and faced Mattice. He was going to lie, but he knew that Mattice could pick him apart in a second if he lied. “Yeah, you’re right; I am falling in love with Brooklyn.”

‘’Have you told her?” Mattice asked.

“No, I haven’t told her yet. Maybe when all of this is over; I want to wait and see how this turns out. Let’s get going. I’ve set up a meeting with Stephanie’s Nursery and Garden supplies. Jerry was employed there for the last four years. We need to talk to his boss.”

“Let’s roll,” Mattice said.

Chapter 44

Stephanie’s was located in Staten Island. The building that housed the nursery was once a warehouse store until it was turned into one of the largest greenhouses in the state. A young woman dressed in a green apron, black shirt and black pants was on her knees pruning a small tree when Mattice and Song walked in.

“Welcome to Stephanie’s, I’m Amanda, how may I help you?” she said, quickly getting to her feet.

“Hi Amanda, we’re here to see Stephanie,” Mattice said.

“And you are?”

Song pulled out his badge. “Detective Kai and this is Detective Blake.”

At the sight of his gold shield she hastily walked to the counter and picked up the receiver dialed a number and said, “Mrs. Kingston, there are two detectives here to see you…Okay.”

“She’s in the garden; just go through those doors,” Amanda said, pointing to the rear of the store.

The garden pathway was laid with colorful stone pavers while an array of wildflowers lined the border. Mrs. Kingston wore her hair in a knot on top of her head, large sunglasses and a sleeveless jumper. She sat at a table in a woven patio chair, holding a wine glass in one hand and a cigarette in the other.

“Detectives, please have a seat,” she said, to Mattice and Song.

“This is without a doubt my favorite time of the day.” She looked out over the pond. Turning her attention back to Song and Mattice, she said, “I assume you’re here to talk about Jerry?“ Before either of them could answer, she continued. “Jerry was such a sweet and gentle soul, misguided at times, but a good person. I can’t believe that he tried to kill the governor and his fiancée. That just doesn’t sound like the Jerry I knew. Detectives, we’re talking about a young man who would capture mice when he found them roaming in my garden and set them free instead of euthanizing them.”

“Mrs. Kingston, can you think of any reason why Jerry would want to harm the governor? The evidence says that Jerry was the assailant,” Mattice said.

She shook her head vehemently. “No…I can’t. Jerry never even talked politics. I know he was heavily in debt and worked to pay off his student loans, but he never mentioned anything political.”

“Did your company do any work for the governor’s mansion or private residence?” Song asked.

“No, we’ve never worked for the governor, although I would love the opportunity. I heard his private estate is breathtaking.”

“Have you ever done any work for Dino Franchetti’?” Mattice asked.

“Yes, Jerry delivered some shrubs to Mr. Franchetti’s summer home a few months ago.”

“What about drugs; was he addicted to prescription pills or maybe something illegal? Mattice said.

“No way! Jerry was straight as an arrow; he wouldn’t even take aspirin for a headache.”

“Was Jerry seeing anyone?” Mattice asked.

“Jerry kept his private life private. All I know is his mother lives in Canada and he’s an only child.”

“Was he close to any of his co-workers?” Mattice said.

‘”No, a lot of the girls would try to get his attention, he is…” She stopped and corrected herself. “He was a good looking guy.”

She glanced at her watch. “I have to get back to work; we have a huge order to fill.”

“Okay, one more thing: was Jerry right handed or left handed?” Song asked.

“Jerry was left handed.”

Mattice and Song stood. “Thank you for your time. Is there any way we could get a copy of your client list from say …The past year?” Song asked.

“Sure, I’ll let Amanda know. It will be waiting for you at the register.”

Chapter 45

Song and Mattice sat in a diner going over the coroner’s report on Jerry’s death.

Mattice took a bite of his sandwich and read over his notes. “Jerry’s death was ruled an accidental overdose of heroin and LSD, but the needle was found in his left arm and Jerry was left handed. It’s highly unlikely that he would hold a needle in his right hand.”

“It doesn’t make sense that someone who didn’t have a history of drug addiction would suddenly decide to shoot up,” Song said, flipping through the pages of the report, “There was absolutely no indication of prior drug use.”

“I’m thinking Jerry was a scapegoat. I’m not saying I’m buying your theory about the governor trying to kill his future wife or that he killed his previous wife; all I know is something isn’t right here. Mrs. Kingston said that Jerry did make a delivery to Dino Franchetti’s, which ties Jerry to the burglary when the gun was stolen,” Mattice said.

Song popped a shrimp into his mouth, frowned and said, “We need to get back inside of Jerry’s apartment. Maybe something was overlooked.” He pushed the plate aside and gulped down his water.

“What’s the matter; the shrimp didn’t do it for you?” Mattice asked.
“It seems overcooked.”

Song slid the plate across the table to Mattice. Mattice bit into a shrimp.

“Taste fine to me, but you’re talking to man who grew up eatin’ chitlins. Did I ever tell you that my grandmamma makes the best chitlins?”

Song laughed. “No, but I have feeling that’s all going to change.”

“Lucky for you, I don’t have time, I have to get to Gina’s a little early; I promised to take her shoe shopping. Do you mind dropping me off?”

“Not a problem, since you’re going to be spending a bunch of money taking Gina shopping, I’ll take care of the check and the tip.” Song reached into his wallet and placed the money on the table.

Mattice groaned. “I’ll be sure to only bring one credit card with me. The woman just loves her shoes. I’m expecting to see you and Brooklyn at Annette’s tonight.”

“Don’t worry, we’ll be there.” Song said, as he slid out of the booth.

Chapter 46

After Song dropped Mattice off, his cell phone rang.

“Mark, what’s up?”

Mark Gregory was a data analysis for the FBI. He was also Song’s go-to-guy when he needed unclassified information. Song met Mark when they both entered the academy. Realizing he wasn’t quite cut out for the tough streets of New York, Mark decided to pursue a less dangerous career with the FBI.

“Hey Song, I have the information you requested.”

“Excellent! Where would you like to meet?”

“How about outside Vanderbilt Gate in Central Park in about an hour? I’ll be on my lunch break.”

“That will work, see you later.”

Mark Gregory, a medium build man with short brown hair, dressed in a blue polo shirt and tan pants, waited outside the Conservatory garden in front of the Vanderbilt wrought iron gates.

Song extended his hand. “Mark, thanks for coming. “

Mark smiled. “You look good Song; different since I last saw you a few months ago,” he said, studying Song’s face.

Mark and a few of Song’s friends rallied around him after he lost his wife. Mark called Song almost every day and made a point to see him at least once a week. Sometimes Mark would pick Song up and drive around for hours without uttering a word, listening to the radio. Mark knew that when the time was right, Song would talk.

‘I’ve been eating right and working out,” Song said.

“No, that’s not it, it’s something else…Did you meet someone?” Mark said, excited and hoping he would say yes.

Song smiled… ”Maybe I did.”

Whoever she is, she’s good for you. Stick with her.” Mark patted Song on the back. “You look really happy, Song. It’s a good look on you my friend. Here’s the info you requested. It’s probably better if you don’t tell me why you needed to see Governor Peirce’s polygraph results. “

“Yeah, it is best that you don’t know. Thanks Mark, thanks for everything.”

‘You be careful and take care of yourself. Tell Grandmother I said hello.”

“I certainly will. You take care too, and give my love to Liana and the children.”

Mark gave Song a bear hug and then was on his way.

Chapter 47

Song sat outside Brooklyn’s loft. The envelope Mark gave Song was on the passenger seat. He wanted to open it and read the results, but he already knew what he would find. Hunter was a lot of things, but he didn’t think she would lie to him about something so serious. If the results were as he expected them to be, he knew he would have to take the information to Lieutenant Phillips and let her decide how to proceed. He also knew that he could possibly lose Brooklyn, if she found out about him investigating her father. He popped the trunk, got out and placed the envelope inside. When he stepped on the elevator he thought about a million reasons to continue the investigation and only one reason to walk away …Brooklyn.

He stepped off the elevator and rang the bell. Brooklyn opened the door wearing a pink satin lace corset and fishnet stockings. Song stood speechless with his mouth open. She pulled him inside and closed the door. Brooklyn wrapped her arms around his neck and gazed into his eyes. She whispered his name, leaned in and seductively kissed him on the lips. She unbuttoned his shirt and began to work her way down.

“Song, I would really like to show you how much I’ve missed you, but we can’t be late; we have to meet your friends.”

She pulled away from him and walked into her bedroom.

With his back against the door and his palm pressed against his forehead, Song sighed and then followed her to the bedroom. He watched her fasten her garter belt, and then slip on a black wrap dress. She looked at him and smiled alluringly as she tied the sash of the dress.

He walked over and pulled her close to him and whispered against her ear. “Ja-gi-ya,” he said, as he ran his hands under her dress, tracing his fingers along the border of her garter belt. “You know exactly what you’re doing to me … I need to feel you now.”

“‘Song, we can’t be late, besides it will give you something to look forward to tonight when we get home.” She grabbed him by the hand and led him out of the bedroom.

He pulled her in for a kiss. “Let’s just stop in, say hello and leave,” Song said, eagerly.

She ran her fingers through his hair. “I’m looking forward to tonight.”

He laughed. “Just give me five minutes right now and I guarantee you’ll want to stay home tonight.”

”Confident are we?”             

‘Very much so,” Song said, nibbling on her earlobe. ”Okay, I’ll show you why I’m so confident later tonight. Let’s go.”

Brooklyn grabbed her purse off the counter and they headed out the door.