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Post by Jordanna on Jan 30, 2006 20:52:30 GMT -5
After leaving his apartment, Alex didn't go directly to the Rosenstein home. He knew that once he did that, he'd be bound to stay with Sid and the children for untold days to come, and there was one thing he wanted to do first.
To start with, he went back to the Paragon Club, now closed for the night. He knew Sid kept a gun in his office safe--and he knew the combination. He retrieved the weapon, and then made his way to that same uninviting part of town he had visited less than twenty-four hours before. He had no reason to believe Regina Dawson would still be in her office at that hour, but he didn't know where else to look.
Standing on the doorstep, with his right hand in the coat pocket in which Sid's gun was an unsettling weight, he raised his left hand and knocked.
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Post by skybright on Jan 30, 2006 21:22:18 GMT -5
It wasn't Regina Dawson's habit to sleep at the office; she had an apartment a few blocks away, and she generally locked up and went home by seven.
But today hadn't been a normal day; after her emotionally trying conversation with Tiernan she'd had a case file to write, and then . . . something . . . had just kept her at Grimalkin. She'd pulled together a brief dinner from the contents of the office fridge, thumbed through a few novels and old case files, and then -- still feeling that she couldn't go home -- she'd locked up the outer office and fallen asleep on the dusty waiting-room sofa.
The desperate, uncertain knocking on the outer office door roused her from a muzzy, frightening dream in which she was edging along a ledge above Broadway; she pushed her trenchcoat-turned-blanket aside and stumbled to the door, rubbing grit from her eyes and wondering who could be there at four a.m. -- one of the quirks of her mutation was the inborn knowledge of what time it always was.
She unlocked the outer door and blinked out into the night, surprised to see Alex Malone standing -- shaking -- on the doorstep.
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Post by Jordanna on Jan 30, 2006 21:31:45 GMT -5
Alex stared for a brief moment at Daws. She looked as confused by sleep as he was by his rampaging thoughts and emotions. Seeing her like that, he felt it just couldn't be possible that she had anything to do with what had happened... or perhaps what was happening.
He took his right hand out of his pocket.
Still, he had to be sure. He drew a deep breath, and in the steadiest voice possible, he told her exactly why he was there.
"Sid's wife is dead, Miss Dawson."
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Post by skybright on Jan 30, 2006 21:43:54 GMT -5
"Sid's wife is dead, Miss Dawson."
Daws stared at the entertainer for another moment; then she stepped aside and motioned him into the office. "In. Hurry."
She shut and locked the outer office door behind him and then ushered him into the inner office, which she locked as well. She motioned at one of the armchairs pushed against the wall. "Sit down, Mister Malone." She crossed to the desk and hauled out the office bottle of scotch and two glasses from the bottom drawer. She poured a drink for the both of them and seated herself next to Malone in the other armchair. She handed Malone the scotch and said quietly "Tell me whatever you know."
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Post by Jordanna on Jan 30, 2006 21:58:26 GMT -5
Alex looked hard at the drink Daws offered him; then, he took it from her and swallowed it at one go. To heck with fears of talking too much. If nothing else, maybe this stuff would stave off his allergy for a while.
"That's all I know," he said at last. "Sid called me himself..." He shook his head slightly at the memory of his friend's voice. "He wasn't in any shape to explain. I oughta be with him and the kids right now, but... the way things are..."
He reached into his pocket and gingerly withdrew the gun, holding it out to Daws--unaware that it was unloaded.
"I had to know," he said, meeting her eyes, gravely and without apology.
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Post by skybright on Jan 30, 2006 22:27:17 GMT -5
Malone held the gun (to steal a phrase) as if it were a two-week-dead lark. He wasn't used to a gun in his hand, and it was painfully obvious. Daws was half-glad that it was her he had the gun on -- and not somebody who'd take it wrong having a gun held on them at four in the morning.
Daws sighed deeply and rubbed her eyes. "Saint Michael, Archangel, defend us." She muttered wearily. Then she met Malone's eyes. "I can't tell you that I didn't have anything to do with it, Mister Malone. But I swear to you I didn't . . . ." She stopped, sighed deeply, and ran her hands through her hair.
"The man who was blackmailing your boss is called Nicholas Tiernan -- you've probably heard of him. His corporation is dealing in a lot of illegal stuff." She said finally, "I'm . . . I'm working on Tiernan's organization for another client. Undercover, I guess you could say. One of Tiernan's sneaks was watching the office this morning, when you came in. And Tiernan guessed why you came."
Daws tossed back her own drink and looked sideways at the shaking barrel of the gun in Malone's hand. "He told me he was going to back off your boss. I . . . don't know what else to say." She shook her head. "I swear to you before God and the saints that I didn't tell Tiernan that you came here. I tried my hardest to keep your case out of the conversation." She rubbed her eyes. "Sorry doesn't even start covering it. But I am."
She gestured faintly at the revolver in Malone's hand. "You might want to load that if you're gonna wave it at anyone else tonight." She added.
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Post by Jordanna on Jan 30, 2006 22:38:25 GMT -5
With a deep sigh, Alex dropped the gun to the floor and sank back into his chair.
He believed Daws. He had even before she explained. The things she said didn't sink in all that well under the circumstances, but at least there was a name to seize upon.
"I don't know this Tiernan," he said wearily. "But if he agreed to lay off Sid, why would he kill Caroline?"
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Post by skybright on Jan 30, 2006 22:58:25 GMT -5
Daws shook her head wearily. "I don't know. The guy is . . ." That same old shiver crawled along Daws' spine. "When you're in the room with him you can feel evil. In my case you can smell it. For all I know he killed her to try and shake me. For all I know he didn't kill her and it's just a coincidence -- unlikely, but maybe. I just don't know."
She glanced at Malone. "If you want me out of your life, I'll back out. But otherwise, I'm not gonna stop until I figure out what Tiernan's really up to, and find some way to take this guy down. I'm not supposed to work murder cases; but if you want me, you've got me."
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Post by Jordanna on Jan 30, 2006 23:18:42 GMT -5
"I do want you in on it," Alex replied. "If this guy killed her..."
He shook his head and stood up. "I've gotta get out to Sid's place on Long Island, and try to take care of him and the kids." After a hesitation, he added, "You can come with me if you want, and we can both find out exactly what happened. Only it'll mean explaining things to Sid... at some point."
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Post by skybright on Jan 31, 2006 14:00:49 GMT -5
Daws hesitated. If Tiernan had killed Sid's wife, there was a chance he still had someone watching the scene. Showing up at Sid Rosenstein's house would probably let Tiernan know he'd hit a nerve; but then again, it would look doubly suspicious if she didn't show up. Besides, she wanted to get a look at just what had gone down; if nothing else, it'd give her a chance to see what awaited her, if she crossed Tiernan wrong.
Calm down, Ace. Her inner voice demanded sharply. You're not gonna be any use unless you face this with a level head.
Daws took a deep breath. "I guess after this your boss has the right to know everything that's going on. And it'll help if I can see things for myself."
She stood and crossed to the telephone, glancing back at Malone. "I need to make a call. Excuse me."
Daws snatched the receiver up and dialed rapidly. Her heart sank with every ring . . . until finally, on the seventh ring, there was a sleep-muddled voice on the other end. The voice cursed loudly in Hindi. "Whattaya want, kaminay?"
Daws didn't flinch. "V, it's Daws."
A pause. "Daws, what . . . it's four-thirty!"
"I know what time it is, Veeru." She interrupted. "Listen, has Jai started on that snooping I asked him to do yet?"
"No," Veeru was wide-awake now on the other end of the line. "He was going to start tomorrow. Daws, what --"
"Get him up. Now. Tell him not to look for any of it. Request cancelled." Daws' voice left no room for argument.
Veeru was in the arguing mood anyway. "Daws, what's going on? What are you talking abou --"
"Just tell him, V. Tell him to keep as far away from Tiernan Enterprises as he can." She chuckled mirthlessly. "I think I've tripped over my own evidence out here in real life."
There was a long, concerned silence on the other end. "Daws, I can be there by -- "
"No." Daws slid the desk drawer open and fished out a box of .38 cartridges, "You've got a brother to look after, V. I'll be all right; I'm just bein' careful, like I promised I would. Now you do the same. Both of you." She sighed and added "I'll contact you when this all blows over."
Another long pause. Then Veeru sighed, "All right, Daws. I'll tell Jai. Please," He added, "Take care of yourself."
"Doin' the best I can." Daws replied, and hung up. Then she repeated quietly "Doin' the best I can."
She retrieved Sweetie from the other desk drawer and loaded the weapon rapidly. Then she tucked it into her shoulder holster and turned to Alex Malone.
"All right, Mister Malone. Let's go see what we can find out."
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Post by Jordanna on Jan 31, 2006 21:02:28 GMT -5
In a daze Alex turned and started for the door, but then he remembered Sid's gun. Reluctantly he turned back to pick it up from the floor and replace it in his pocket, now strangely glad to know that it wasn't loaded. Now that his emotions had settled slightly, he felt he must have been out of his mind to bring it in the first place--and he didn't want to think about whatever it was he'd thought he was going to do with it.
This time Alex had come in his own car, and he led Daws to where he had parked around the corner. He slid into the driver's seat, randomly wondering how he was going to clear Daws' allergens out of his car after this little joyride.
It was easier to think about stupid trivialities than what awaited them... but those thoughts were there, too.
"If Tony hears Caroline was murdered..." he murmured, as Daws got into the car. She looked questioningly at him, and he explained as they pulled away from the curb. "Caroline's cousin--he's the boss of the Comancinis now."
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Post by skybright on Jan 31, 2006 21:39:54 GMT -5
Oh, of course. 'Cause life just isn't complex enough without the Mob getting involved.
Daws did her best not to rub up against any of the car's surfaces with her exposed fur -- the poor guy was going to have enough problems without allergens all over his car seats.
"I think it'd be best if I'm a 'friend of the family' or something when we get out there." She said, as calmly as she could. "Cops and me get along like water and solid sodium; they hate it when I wander in and start doing their jobs for them."
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Post by Jordanna on Jan 31, 2006 21:58:04 GMT -5
"Right," Alex replied. "Sid didn't sound like he's in any shape to start asking who you are, anyway."
They drove for some time in silence. Alex had his window rolled down, and although his eyes itched slightly and he felt a bit stuffy, he managed not to sneeze. I gotta get some meds if I'm going to keep hanging around this chick.
Alex glanced sideways at her. If he was going to keep hanging around her...
"You might as well know the rest of it," he concluded his thought out loud.
Daws looked over at him with a distinct sense of foreboding.
He didn't look at her, staring at the road and gripping the steering wheel a little more tightly. "That Bogey impression I did yesterday. That... wasn't just a party trick, if you... know what I mean."
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Post by skybright on Jan 31, 2006 22:15:05 GMT -5
Daws' sleep-deprived brain took a minute to process that one. A few moments of heavy silence passed as she suddenly remembered how odd Malone's voice had seemed when she'd first heard it -- like there were too many wavelengths being covered by the words.
She leaned her head against the seatback. "You're a mutant, aren't you?" She glanced over at Malone's white-knuckled grip on the steering wheel, and added softly, "And it's not common knowledge, it is?"
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Post by Jordanna on Jan 31, 2006 22:33:10 GMT -5
Alex nodded slowly, without speaking for a moment.
"I told you Sid had mutant friends," he finally said, in a slightly hoarse, hesitant tone. "Knowing what I am, nobody else would've given me the life he has. Now you know why I wanted so much to help him."
He chuckled humorlessly. "You know, it's funny... I was always afraid if I had a drink, I'd open my yap about myself." Finally he looked over at Daws, with a very faint, sad smile. "I know you won't give me away."
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Post by skybright on Jan 31, 2006 22:42:31 GMT -5
Daws shook her head and chuckled. "Y'know, it's funny. People are always falling over themselves pitying me: 'poor kid, she's never gonna look like everyone else.' The truth of the matter is, Mister Malone -- I pity the guys like you. If somebody gave me the chance to hide it -- to have to wake up tomorrow morning and pick and choose who knew, who I'd tell." She shook her head vehemently, "I wouldn't take them up on it. Not in a million years."
She glanced out the window at the blurred lights of early-morning traffic. "You guys are the ones this is hard on. And you're right. The secret's safe with me."
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Post by Jordanna on Jan 31, 2006 23:00:39 GMT -5
Alex relaxed slightly, with a small nod, and they drove the rest of the way in silence.
Eventually, they wound their way into an affluent Long Island neighborhood. Even if the Rosensteins' two-story Colonial hadn't been a second home to Alex, it would have been unmistakable from the garishly lit spectacle of a fire rescue vehicle, an ambulance, and several police cars crowded in the street out front, forcing Alex to pull up to the curb three houses down.
His emotions churning again at the sight, Alex bounded across the neighbors' yards and up to the front door, without waiting for Daws. A big cop on the porch tried to bar his way, but some higher-up who was a regular at the Paragon Club called for him to be let in, knowing he was a family friend.
The first thing Alex looked for was Sid. He was sitting on the sofa, still dressed as he must have been when he walked in the door, with his face buried in his hands. He didn't move or look up when Alex sat down beside him, placing a hand on his shoulder.
"Where are the kids?" Alex asked the nearest cop.
"Upstairs. The maid's taking care of 'em."
Before Alex could say anything else, a small commotion at the front door heralded Daws' arrival.
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Post by skybright on Jan 31, 2006 23:11:52 GMT -5
The cop was of the brick-wall school of law enforcement; if it doesn't outrank you, don't get out of its way. He had one meaty arm planted squarely across the doorjamb and a belligerent -- if not particularly intelligent -- scowl on his jowly face. "Where y'think you're goin', kitty-cat?" He squinted down at Daws as if trying to decide whether she was a hallucination.
Daws squared her shoulders, pushed her fedora back, and glared right back at the cop. "First -- and believe me, I am really getting sick of telling people this -- I am not a cat. I am especially not a 'kitty cat'. Second, " She pointed emphatically past the cop's arm, "I'm goin' in there. Third," She shifted her arm so she was pointing at Alex Malone, "I'm with him." She lowered her arm and smiled sweetly, baring her fangs. "Any other questions?"
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Post by Jordanna on Jan 31, 2006 23:32:02 GMT -5
Alex squeezed the unresponsive Sid's shoulder and quickly stood up. "Let her in. She's a family friend."
The cop didn't look happy about it, but he let Daws in. Alex stepped to her side, reluctantly joining her as she ventured toward the other side of the living room, where the police activity was concentrated.
Between the detectives and police photographers, Alex could see Caroline sprawled on the hardwood floor, chillingly limp and still. The only visible sign of harm he glimpsed on her was a small trickle of blood from her nose and mouth.
"How did she...?" Alex asked no one in particular.
"We haven't determined the cause of death," replied the police official, whom Alex knew from the Paragon only by sight. "This is how her daughter found her."
Alex's head jerked up sharply. "You mean it wasn't Sid? Which of the girls--?"
"The older one. From what we've figured out, she came downstairs for a drink of water and found Mrs. Rosenstein here. The first thing she did was call her father... Can't really blame her, with the state she was in, and there was nothing the paramedics could do anyway."
The cop noticed Daws for the first time, and glowered at her. Alex wasn't sure if that was because he knew her, or just... because.
"Before anybody asks, there's no sign of a break-in. For all we know, this could be natural causes."
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Post by skybright on Jan 31, 2006 23:49:00 GMT -5
Daws scratched absently behind her left ear, feeling tears prick the corners of her eyes. She'd seen dead bodies before, of course -- starting with her father, who'd had a massive stroke when she was eleven. But before, she'd always seen them removed from their normal settings -- in morgues or funeral homes, in hospital beds or on the New York sidewalk. She'd never seen anyone dead in a place like this, a room that should have been safe. She rubbed briskly at her eyes. C'mon, Ace. We gotta job to do.
She glanced at the cop who'd spoken earlier. "Medical examiner on the way?" In response to the cop's glower, she fished her laminated license out of her pocket and displayed it briefly, adding, "I care about these people. Just want to see them done right by."
And -- though she didn't mean it quite the same way the cop took it -- it was completely true.
The police official didn't look thrilled, but he said grudgingly "Yeah. We've got this situation under control."
"Of course." Daws looked around. The cop was right -- there was no sign of a struggle, no open windows or overturned chairs. For all intents and purposes, Caroline Rosenstein appeared to have just laid down and died.
Daws didn't like that one bit.
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