Devil Bones (12 page)

“The food in his stomach and the polen in his lungs. It also showed that he’d ingested a potion containing poisonous Calabar beans in the forty-eight hours prior to his death.”

“And?”

“Calabar causes paralysis while keeping the victim conscious. It’s used commonly in witchcraft rituals in West Africa.”

“Go on.” Slidel’s voice was pure steel.

“Adam’s bones were also analyzed to determine geographical origin.”

“How’s that play?”

“Foodstuffs bear traces of the soil in which they were grown or reared.” I kept it simple. “Samples taken from Adam and compared to places around the world suggested he came from the vicinity of Benin City, in Nigeria. Investigators went to Africa, but discovered little.”

“Any arrests?”

“No. But there are persons of interest. Mostly Nigerians, some of whom have been linked to human trafficking.”

“But there’s insufficient evidence to bring charges.” Skinny has never been a champion of individual civil liberties. His disgust was evident.

“You’ve got it.”

As dual voices reported sports scores in my bedroom and across town in a condo I didn’t want to picture, I debated in my mind. Tel Slidel the most worrying element and risk sending him off in the wrong direction? Keep it to myself and risk impeding the investigation?

“There’s more,” I said. “Authorities in London claim that in recent years some three hundred black boys have gone missing from the system and not returned to school or reappeared. Only two have ever been traced.”

“Where the hel are the families?”

“When questioned, caregivers and relatives say the boys have left the UK to return to Africa.”

“And no one can confirm.”

“Exactly.”

“Cops think these kids have been murdered?”

“Some do.”

My eyes drifted to the clock radio. Six thirty. I was naked, sans makeup, with tangled wet hair that looked like seaweed.

And due at Charlie’s in thirty minutes.

I needed to hurry. But I wanted to know what Slidel and Rinaldi had learned about the property on Greenleaf.

“What did you find out about Kenneth Roseboro?”

“Kenny-boy’s some kinda musician living in Wilmington. Claims the minute Aunt Wanda went bely-up and the place was his, he ran an ad and rented the dump out.”

As Slidel talked I tried donning the panties one-handed.

“Roseboro never lived in the house?”

“No.”

“How many tenants occupied the premises?”

“One. Upstanding citizen name of Thomas Cuervo. T-Bird to his friends and business associates.”

“What business?”

“Pissant little shop out South Boulevard.” Slidel snorted. “La Botánica Buena Salud. Natural cures, vitamins, herbal remedies. I can’t believe people blow money on that horseshit.”

While I didn’t totaly disagree with Slidel, I wasn’t in the mood for his thoughts on holistic healing.

“Does Cuervo have a record?”

“In addition to brain tonics and flatulence powders, T-Bird has periodicaly dealt in stronger pharmaceuticals.”

“He’s a drug dealer?”

“Penny-ante stuff. Nickel bags. Racked up some drunk and disorderlies.”

As I did my Karate Kid crane kick maneuver, the panties caught on my upraised foot. I toppled and my elbow slammed the wal.

“Shit!”

Birdie shot under the bed.

“What the hel are you doing?”

“Why did Roseboro decide to sel?” I chucked the skivvies to rub my elbow.

“T-Bird skipped, owing a lot of back rent.”

“Skipped where?”

“Roseboro claims he’d realy like to know.”

“Did you ask about the celar?”

“I’m saving that for our early morning chat.”

“Mind if I observe?”

Pause.

“What the hel.”

13

I PARKED ON THE BORDER BETWEEN FOURTH AND FIRST WARDS. Walking along Church Street, I couldn’t help thinking the quarter was a poster for Charlotte’s uptown revival.

Charlie’s unit was midpoint in a row of nine spanking-new townhouses. Kitty-corner from it was the McCol Center for Visual Art, a studio and galery complex recently created within a renovated church.

One empty lot down from the former house of worship, mounded rubble attested to a recent implosion. Way past its shelf life, the old Renaissance Place Apartment building had been toppled to make way for a spiffy new tower.

Two blocks southeast, I knew other buildings had also been earmarked for demolition, including the Mecklenburg County Government Services Center, our very own reborn Sears Garden Shop. Everyone at the MCME was dreading the move.

C’est la vie,
Charlotte-style. A new landscape rising from the old.

I rang Charlie’s bel at 7:23, damp hair yanked into a high ponytail. Fetching. But I had managed mascara and blusher.

My summons was answered by a host who looked exceedingly good. Wash-faded jeans. Slip-on loafers, no socks. Zip-front sweater showing just a hint of chest.

“Sorry I’m late.”

“No problemo.” Charlie buzzed my cheek. He smeled good, too. Burberry?

Flashbulb image of the Skylark.

Taking in my leggings and new Max Mara tunic, Charlie nodded approval. “Yessiree. She cleans up real good.” He gave the modifier at least five
e
’s.

“You used that same line earlier today.”

“Experience has taught me the value of moderation.”

“Moderation.”

“If I let loose unbridled wit, women show up from al over town. I once crafted three smooth lines in a single evening. Cops had to set up barricades.”

“How annoying for the neighbors.”

“I got a letter of complaint from the homeowners association.”

I roled my eyes.

“Walk or ride?” Charlie asked.

I tipped my head in question.

“The place has four levels.”

“There’s an elevator,” I guessed.

Charlie gave a humble what’s-one-to-do? smile.

“Are we going to the top?”

“Kitchen’s on two.”

“I’l rough it,” I said.

Leading the way, Charlie explained the layout. Office and garage down, living-dining room, kitchen, and den on two, bedrooms on three, party room and terrace on four.

The decor was Pottery Barn modern, done using a palette of browns and cream. Probably umber and ecru in designer-speak.

But the furnishings showed a personal touch. Paintings, most modern, a few traditional and obviously old. Sculptures in wood and metal. An African carving. A mask I guessed was Indonesian.

As we climbed, I couldn’t help noticing photos. Family gatherings, some with faces colored like choices in coffee, others with skin in the mocha-olive range.

Posed shots of a tal black man in a Celtics jersey. Charles “CC” Hunt in his NBA days.

Framed snapshots. A ski trip. A beach outing. A sailing excursion. In most, Charlie stood or sat beside a wilowy woman with long black hair and cinnamon skin. The wife who died on 9/11? I spotted my answer in a wedding portrait on the living room mantel.

I looked away, saddened. Embarrassed? Charlie was watching. His eyes clouded but he made no comment.

The kitchen was al stainless steel and natural wood. Charlie’s culinary efforts covered one granite countertop.

He waved a hand over the platters. “Rosemary-rubbed lamb chops. Marinated zucchini. Mixed salad à la Hunt.”

“Impressive.” My eyes drifted to the table. It was set for two.

Charlie noticed my noticing.

“Unfortunately, Katy had a prior engagement.”

“Uh-huh.” Washing her hair, no doubt.

“Wine? Martini?”

Apparently my daughter hadn’t mentioned my colorful past.

“Perrier, please.”

“Lemon?”

“Perfect.”

“Nondrinker?” Spoken from behind the opened refrigerator door.

“Mm.”

Though Charlie knew I’d knocked back my share of beers in high school, he didn’t ask about my changed relationship with booze. I liked that.

“Join me on the terrace? The view’s not bad.”

I’ve never been an autumn person. I find the season bittersweet, nature’s last gasp before the clocks are turned back and life hunkers down for the long, dark winter.

Forget Johnny Mercer’s “Autumn Leaves.” In my view the original French title had it right.
“Les feuilles mortes.”
The dead leaves.

Maybe it’s because of my work, my daily intimacy with death. Who knows? Give me crocuses and daffodils and little baby chicks.

Nevertheless, Charlie’s “not bad” was an understatement. The evening was so sparkling it seemed almost alive, the kind you get when the summer polen has settled and the fal foliage has yet to gear up for action. A zilion stars dotted the sky. The iluminated towers and skyscrapers made uptown resemble a Disney creation. Mr. Money’s Wild Ride.

As Charlie griled, we talked, testing pathways. Naturaly, the first led down memory lane.

Parties at “the rock.” Spring break at Myrtle Beach. We laughed hardest at memories of our junior float, a tissue-paper and chicken-wire whale with booted legs kicking from its open mouth.
Whale Not Swallow De-Feet.
At the time we’d thought the pun Groucho Marx clever.

We cringed at recolections of ourselves during the al-time nadir in fashion history. Crushed-velvet jackets. Crocheted beer label hats. Macramé purses. Candies pumps.

No reference was made to the Skylark.

Chops and veggies griled, we descended to the dining room. As our comfort level grew, conversation turned to more serious issues.

Charlie talked of a teen whose defense he was handling. Mildly retarded, the boy had been charged with murdering two of his grandparents.

I discussed the cauldron bones, Anson Tyler, and Boyce Lingo’s latest showboating. Why not? Between them, Lingo and Stalings had put practicaly al of it out there.

“Lingo’s suggesting the cases are linked?” Charlie asked.

“He’s implying it. He’s wrong. First of al, Anson Tylor wasn’t decapitated. And, while I’l admit that the Lake Wylie mutilation suggests Satanism, there’s no hint of devil worship in the Greenleaf celar. The barnyard animals, the statue of Saint Barbara, the carving of Eleggua, the cauldrons. It al smacks of some form of Santería.”

“Ignore him. Lingo’s positioning for a run at a state senate seat and needs publicity.”

“Who votes for that jackass?”

Charlie took my question as rhetorical. “Dessert?”

“Sure.”

He disappeared, returned with pie slices the size of warships.

“Please tel me you didn’t make this.”

“Banana cream purchased at Edible Art. Though galactic, sadly, my powers have boundaries.” Charlie sat.

“Thank God.”

Two bites and I winged back to Lingo. This round, I realy cranked up.

“Lingo’s hysterics about Satanists and child murder are going to scare the hel out of people. Worse. He could inspire the right-wing loony fringe to start burning crosses on the lawns of Ashkenazim and Athabascans. I’ve seen it happen. Some holier-than-thou nitwit hits the airwaves, next thing you know folks are organizing down at the mini-mart to go out and kick ass.” I air-jabbed my fork for emphasis. “Statues? Beads? Coconut shels? Forget it. Satan wasn’t on the A list down in that celar.”

Charlie raised his palms in my direction. “Put down your weapon and we al walk away.”

I lay my fork on my plate. Changed my mind, picked it up, and dived back into the pie. I’d hate myself later. Tough.

“Lingo realy pissed you off,” Charlie said.

“It’s one of his specialties.” Garbled through crumbs and banana.

“You done venting?”

I started to protest. Stopped, embarrassed.

“Sorry. You’re right.”

We both ate in silence. Then, “Athabascans?”

I looked up. Charlie was smiling.

“Ashkenazim?”

“You know what I mean. Minority groups that are not understood.”

“Aleuts?” he suggested.

“Good one.”

We both laughed. Charlie reached out, stopped, as though surprised by the action of his hand. Awkwardly, he pointed one finger.

“You have whipped cream on your lip.”

I made a swipe with my napkin.

“So,” I said.

“So,” he said.

“This was nice.”

“It was.” Charlie’s face was fixed in an expression I couldn’t interpret.

Awkward beat.

I rose and began gathering dishes.

“Not a chance.” Shooting to his feet, Charlie took the plates from my hands. “My house. My rules.”

“Dictatorial,” I said.

“Yes,” he agreed.

An hour later I lay curled in my bed. Alone. Perhaps it was the panty-tumble incident. Whatever. Birdie was keeping his distance.

The room was silent. Slivers of moonlight slashed the armoire.

Given the calm of the room and the demands of the day, I should have falen asleep quickly. Instead, my thoughts spun like whirligig blades.

I’d enjoyed Charlie’s company. Conversation had been easy, not strained as I’d anticipated.

Sudden realization. I’d done most of the talking. Was that good? Was Charlie Hunt the silent, pensive type? Stil waters running deep? Shalow waters barely running at al?

Charlie had appeared to understand my frustration with Lingo. Though I had, indeed, been venting, he hadn’t treated me like a sleep-deprived toddler.

Our dialogue had been strictly present tense. No mention of past marriages, lost loves, murdered spouses. No discussion of the years between the Skylark and now.

I remembered the wedding picture. Charlie’s expression. What was it I’d seen in his eyes? Resentment? Guilt? Grief for a woman blown up by fanatics?

Not that I wanted to share secrets with Charlie Hunt. I hadn’t mentioned Pete and his twenty-something fiancée, Summer. Or Ryan and his long-ago lover and damaged daughter. Ours had been a mutual, unspoken complicity, both dancing around the edges of our respective pasts. It was better that way.

Ryan.

I hadn’t expected Ryan to cal. Yet, arriving home, I’d felt hope on seeing the pulsing red beacon.

Three voice-mail messages. Katy. Pete. Hang-up.

My daughter wanted to discuss Saturday’s shopping excursion. Sure she did.

My estranged husband hoped to arrange a dinner for me to meet Summer. That was as likely as pork chops on Shabbat.