7

Negligent Homicide

Chapter One

"Man, it stinks in here, when we get back I'm having this car fumigated."

"Quit whining, if you hadn't been so free and easy with the cat-pee spray I wouldn't stink so bad. You should have remembered who was driving me over here."

"Well we're here now, so how about you get out so I can let in some fresh air."

Tim pushed the door open and stepped out into the parking lot; Tony had parked well away from where most of the homeless men and women had set up camp, far enough that he wouldn't be spotted, but close enough if Tim needed help. Glad to be out of the car Tim took a deep breath, even with the windows open the car had gotten smelly real fast, if only Tony hadn't added the extra sprays to the already noxious mix he had on his clothes, maybe it wouldn't have been so bad; but with Tony, less was never more.

"We'll do a final comms-check when you're round the corner." Tony was looking forward to getting some of the stink out of the sedan, and he hadn't needed Tim's reminder to tell him why the smell was so overwhelming. "Hey Tim, back in Abby's lab…"

"Leave it Tony, we have a job to do; just don't forget what I told you, I will get you for this."

"Okay, I guess I deserve payback, time to get this show on the road, and remember, first sign of anything hinky you walk away."

Tim gave a rueful smile. "Hinky? Look at me, more to the point smell me. What we have here is walking, talking hinky." With a quick wave Tim shuffled off, his unsteady gait accentuated by a pair of shoes two sizes too big. As he disappeared from view Tony checked his watch and made a note of the time. "Comms-check Tim, do you copy?"

"Loud and clear Tony; I'm almost there, if I get anything I'll call. Out."

It took almost two hours, but eventually Tim got someone to talk, although their conversation started off on the wrong foot.

"Kept himself to himself did Blue, same as the rest of us. You get my drift?"

"Sure…I mean him no harm; I owe him. He helped me out of a jam once, just wanted to…I don't know, see if I could do anything for him I guess."

The stocky man still didn't look convinced, but he shrugged his shoulders and pointed toward a food truck parked at the end of the block. "See the tall, skinny guy back of the line? Don't think he knows much about Blue either, but he's tight with Goliath, and everyone round here knows Goliath knows everyone; if you want to find Blue, you need to talk with the big guy."

Tim resisted the urge to offer the man any money by way of thanks, after all he was supposed to be homeless too; instead he offered his hand. "Thanks for your help…didn't catch your name."

"That's 'cos I didn't throw it out there. Jonesy, round these parts that's what they call me."

"Thanks Jonesy; you want me to bring you something from the truck?"

"I already ate." Without a salutation he turned on his heel and walked away, pushing his shopping cart as he went. Tim joined the line at the food truck, trying to get close to the man Jonesy had pointed out. It wasn't until they were almost at the serving hatch that Tim managed to engage him in conversation.

"You're looking for Goliath?" Tim could almost see the shutters coming down and hurried to reassure the man.

"Only to ask him about another guy, Blue; I owe him, wanted to pay my debt."

The man visibly relaxed and risked a brief smile. "Goliath's your man alright, but you'll have to wait, he got a bed in the shelter, won't be out until 06.30 tomorrow."

"Sounds like you're a military man."

"In another life." He reached up for the Styrofoam dish and breathed in the appetising aroma. "Lasagne tonight, tastes as good as it smells." He handed the dish to Tim and turned back to get one for himself. "We get a dessert and coffee too, they only come three times a week, but it's worth the wait." He looked hesitant, but smiled again at Tim. "If you like, you can sit with me, I know a good spot."

His first instinct had been to ditch the food in the nearest dumpster and get Tony to take him back to headquarters, but this man, a man who had nothing, had offered a total stranger a hot meal before he'd taken a plate for himself. "Sounds good, I'm new round here, don't really know my way around."

"Okay, follow me."

Tim hung back a little so he could contact Tony and let him know he'd most likely be staying the night. "It's going to look pretty strange if I disappear for the night and then reappear in the morning."

"Copy that Tim, I'm heading out at 20.00, Dorneget will be taking over; same rules apply, anything hinky, call"

"Will do, see you tomorrow; out."

Tim's night wasn't the most comfortable he'd ever spent, but it was a big improvement on the rock-hard floor of a prison in Somalia, that would most likely always rate as the worst place he'd ever spent the night. His new found friend had proved to be good company, although if the conversation strayed to anything personal he always steered it toward more general subjects. The lasagne had been good, much better than Tim had expected; the apple pie and coffee had been even better and Tim could understand why the food truck's visits were so popular. They'd even been given a sandwich for tomorrow's breakfast.

Early in the evening Tim had risked asking his companion his name, knowing the best he was likely to get was a nickname. "Take a look at me, how tall do you think I am?"

"Six three maybe."

"Good guess, so what do you think they call me?"

Tim grinned, it had to be. "Shorty?"

"Got it in one." Shorty was smiling too. "How about you?"

"Mac, they call me Mac."

"Seriously? You couldn't come up with something better than that?"

"Guess it is kinda lame, but I'm used to it now." Tim leaned against the concrete wall. "How long have you been here?"

"Too long; you sure ask a lot of questions."

"Always been nosey, made my dad crazy when I always wanted to know everything about…well, everything I guess."

"And you still ended up here."

"Yeah…Shorty, don't you ever get curious about the people here, where they're from, how they got to this place?"

Shorty looked around, squinting as he tried to focus in the hazy glow from the few working streetlights. "Curiosity can be dangerous round here, most folks keep pretty much to themselves. You should try it."

Tim figured it was time he gave the questions a rest, didn't want to blow his cover before he had the chance to talk with Goliath. "Guess I'll start right now."

Shorty nodded. "You're a fast study, about time we were getting some shut-eye; where's your stuff?"

"I…wasn't expecting to be sleeping here, my stuff…it's the other side of the river, where I usually sleep."

"Then it's lucky for you I have a spare sleeping bag." Shorty took out his own bedding and then handed a thin, grubby sleeping bag to Tim, he took it gratefully, the night was likely to be chill, and he wasn't so proud he'd refuse warmth regardless of the fact it came with added grime. Tim had made himself as comfortable as possible and managed to get a few hours sleep. Even with the sleeping bag he'd woken shivering in the dark hour before dawn, he'd pulled the skimpy covering closer to him and given thanks that at least he hadn't gone to sleep on an empty stomach. No sooner had he gone back to sleep than someone was shaking him.

"Mac, hey Mac! It's 06.00, if you want to see Goliath you should get up and get moving."

"Okay Shorty, I hear you." Tim stretched out his cramped limbs and slowly got to his feet, vowing never again to take his comfortable bed for granted. "Do we have time to use the washroom again?"

"Sure, it's on the way, don't forget your sandwich, the food truck won't be here tonight."

"I'm good…had plenty last night, why don't you take it? There's a guy who owes me a meal back at my other place." It almost broke Tim to see the joy on the other man's face, a sandwich…so much we take for granted, Tim promised he'd do better, just get this case done and he'd find something he could do to help.

They made use of the public washroom at a nearby gas station, taking care not to be seen; Tim hadn't been surprised when Shorty told him the staff at the gas station were less than welcoming to members of the homeless community. By 06.25 they were waiting outside the shelter, Tim spotted Goliath the minute he walked out the door. There was no sense of irony in his name, Goliath was a man-mountain who looked as if he could knock most men on their backsides without even trying; it would definitely be a good idea to stay on the right side of this guy. Luckily Shorty was able to smooth the way and as soon as Goliath knew 'Mac' wasn't looking to do Blue any harm, he was more than willing to give Tim Blue's last known whereabouts.

Tim thanked Goliath for the information and turned to Shorty. "You're helping me more than you know, if there's ever anything I can do for you."

"Doubt we'll meet again Mac; I hope you find Blue, a man should always pay his debts."

"I intend to, that's a promise." As he headed back to meet Tony, Tim vowed when the case was done he'd return and see if there was any way he could help Shorty and Goliath…he walked past so many men and women, all living their lives on the streets, surely this wasn't what any of them would have chosen.

"Morning McHobo. Can't say you smell a heck of a lot sweeter."

"Thanks Tony, and a very good morning to you too."

"You get anything useful?"

"Yeah, there's a clinic we need to look at, but before I do anything I'm going to hit the shower."