Chapter 10

More banging on my flimsy door.

"Aw, it ain't like that, Dix, we just wanna talk," said one voice, and I recognized it as that of my former partner, Jack Buchanan.

But as I stood there contemplating just what my friendship with Jack meant, I began to think back to what Redblock had said. He'd been searching for Beverly Howard, almost desperately. And after that scene in the warehouse I knew that if he ever found her, he would kill her without a second thought. And if Jack was still in with Redblock...of course Jack wouldn't know the extent of it ...he wouldn't kidnap an innocent woman and deliver her to a known murderer. But still I couldn't risk it.

I turned and walked back toward Ms. Howard and tried to gently pry her black doctor's bag out of her grip. Instead her grip tightened on the bag and her expression darkened. Boy, was she strong! And she still didn't trust me. And exactly what the hell did she have in there, besides the usual medical equipment? Maybe that was the problem. There was something more valuable than her stethoscope that she was trying to protect in there.

Ms. Howard tilted her head in my direction. "What exactly do you think you're doing, Mr. Hill?" she asked in a low voice.

I tried to reassure her with a confident smile, which must have looked real convincing on such a beat up face. "Just trust me," I said quietly. "Look, I know how these guys think...like you keep pointing out, Ms. Howard, I used to be a cop…just follow my lead."

She gripped the bag tighter which had the effect of closing the distance between us. She stared me directly in the eye. "Why should I?" She demanded.

I hesitated under her cool gaze. "Because," I finally said, "If you do this for me, I'll tell you everything I know-everything that happened at the warehouse," I added as convincingly as possible. Looking back, I don't know if I was quite telling the truth at that moment, but it seemed like she was slowly coming around.

"Is that a promise, Mr. Hill?" She was still searching my face for deception, but had loosened her grip slightly.

"I promise," I agreed smoothly. Her face was so close to mine now that I started getting other ideas. She seemed to read my mind and took half a step back.

"This doesn't mean what you would like it to, Mr. Hill."

I played dumb. "Doesn't mean what?"

She smiled knowingly. "It doesn't mean I trust you, and it certainly doesn't mean anything more than that I am simply providing you with my cooperation in exchange for some information from you."

I smiled and she finally released the bag into my hands. "I can be satisfied with that arrangement...as long as you are," I added with a wink. Ignoring her irritated reaction, I turned and dropped the bag into Billy's hands. He quickly stashed it behind the refrigerator. I smiled at Ms. Howard again, and said, "just remember, no matter what they ask you, you're not who they think you are."

She raised her index finger to point at me. "Oh, I don't think so Mr. Hill…."

I put my finger to my lips. "Shh. Just trust me." Anyway, let's just say that if looks could kill, I wouldn't have lived to tell you my story.

Meanwhile the cops were signaling they were still out in the hallway and not willing to take no for an answer. "Come on, Dix," Jack shouted again. "We just wanna talk is all," he promised.

This should be interesting, I thought to myself and reached out for the doorknob, unlocking the deadbolt at the same time. I opened the door and Jackie boy and another large bruiser of a cop stomped past me into my apartment. After a moment I recognized him as Jack's new boss, Lieutenant Cramer. After our run-in back in Golden Gate park I knew I couldn't back down. But I had to be smart about it. I wasn't interested in another beating. Lieutenant Cramer tried to stare me down, but instead of playing his game, I played mine; I ignored him. I could tell Cramer was steamed at my rudeness, which was fine by me. I learned a long time ago, that anger more often than not, makes you stupid.

Instead I turned to Jack. "Detective Buchanan, to what do I owe this visit?"

To my annoyance after quickly surveying the room, and all of its occupants, Jack's eyes had rested on Beverly Howard. I'd seen that look on his face before when it came to women, and it made me uneasy. He touched the brim of his hat and said, "Ma'am." She smiled slightly but said nothing.

Tearing his gaze away from her he looked at me. "Dix, buddy, you remember Lieutenant Cramer, don't you?" he asked gesturing deferentially toward his boss.

I took on a deliberately confused expression, and just shook my head and shrugged.

Cramer leaned down into my face. "Well I remember you, Hill….and you'd better get used to my face, because you're gonna be seeing a lot of me."

I crossed my arms over my chest. "Don't keep me in suspense fellas…."

"Dix you look like absolute crap," said Jack. "Looks like someone worked you over real good."

I shrugged. "I had a couple of strong drinks last night and fell on my face walking home," I said leaning against my fridge. "Six times," I added casually. Nearby, I heard Beverly Howard take in an annoyed breath. Gloria was sitting at my dining table, watching the scene carefully, and Billy and his two friends sat on the couch.

Jack nodded over at Bill Reisner. "Fingers…you still hanging out with this bum?"

Billy lounged back against the couch with one of my cigarettes hanging from his lips. "Sure thing, Detective. Free tomato sandwiches."

Jack snorted a laugh.

Lieutenant Cramer walked closer to me, trying to use his height to intimidate me. I rolled my eyes up to meet his stare. "Exactly where were you when you fell on your face six times?" he asked.

I tapped my forehead. "This might be hard to believe but my memory's not too good today, Sarge."

"Lieutenant!" Cramer yelled to correct me and then turned to Jack. "You hear this guy trying to bust my chops, Jack?"

"Calm down, guys," said my old partner.

I looked at Jack. "What gives, Jack? You let this mug come into my house and try to push me around? My friends and I were just about to sit down for a nice lunch of Coca Cola."

"How'd you like to go downtown, buddy?" Cramer shouted into my face.

Ms. Howard suddenly stepped forward. "On what charge? This is his home…such as it is. And you don't have the right to treat him this way," she said indignantly. I didn't even try to hide my surprise at that.

Cramer glared down at her, but Jack broke into a smile. "Say, Dix, who is your lovely friend here? She's very spirited."

Ms. Howard looked like she was about to say something when I wrapped my arm around her waist. She immediately stiffened against me. "This is my new lady…Brenda, this is Jack Buchanan, my old partner, and Lieutenant…uh" I snapped my fingers as though frustrated that I couldn't remember.

"Cramer," she said, eyeing me strangely. "I don't have any problems with my memory," she added, nodding at the police.

Cramer's eyes narrowed. "Is that so, young lady?"

She raised her chin sharply. "My name is Brenda…Brenda Larkin," she said, and it sounded pretty convincing.

Cramer pulled out a small notebook and a pencil from his pocket. "Ms. Larkin, since you have such a good memory, perhaps you wouldn't mind answering a few questions-"

"Not without a lawyer," I interrupted.

"I don't have anything to hide," she said moving away from me. "Go ahead and ask me," she challenged him. I groaned inwardly. Gloria shot me a warning look, but what could I do?

"Were you with Mr. Hill, your uh...boyfriend here, yesterday…around 2pm?"

"No," she said, a little too quickly.

Cramer smiled. "You sure about that answer?"

"Yes, I'm sure, and the answer is still no."

"Where were you then?"

"I was at work."

"And where do you work?"

"Downtown."

Cramer raised his eyebrows. "Could you be more specific?"

She clamped her mouth shut and glanced at me.

"Look," I interjected. "She doesn't have to answer your questions and you know-"

"You don't happen to work down at the Presidio, do you, Ms. Larkin? You see, apparently there was an incident over at the base yesterday."

"No, I don't work over there," she said with renewed confidence. "I'm sure if you looked up my name on the base, you would confirm that is true."

Cramer paced away from her and glanced at Jack, who was now sitting down at the table next to cousin Gloria. "Buchanan, you want to tell her?"

"We're looking for a woman that matches your description," said Jack. "Tall, red haired…spirited. She went missing from the base. Some kind of top secret work she was doing. According to the feds she took some property that wasn't hers. As you can imagine, they're not too happy about it. Not that the feds are ever happy. Anyway, you wouldn't happen to know anything about that kind of thing, would you Ms. Larkin?"

"No," she said simply. Inside I felt a little bit of panic. So...she was on the run and yet she was so calm. She'd even spent the time in my grimy apartment to repair my wounds. I began to see her in a new light.

Jack lit a cigarette. "You would tell us, if you did know anything…wouldn't you?"

"Yes," she said.

Jack stared at her for a moment and took a drag from his cigarette. "Answer me one more question…is this guy really your boyfriend? Because if not…."

To my surprise, Beverly moved to my side and looped her arm through mine. It was all I could do not to look at her with alarm. "Yes," she said with a radiant smile. And as she squeezed my arm, she smiled again and then kissed me on the cheek. "And we're to be married," she declared. Across the room, Gloria dropped the book she had been pretending to read loudly on the table. Billy Reisner spit out a mouthful his Coca Cola onto my hardwood floor.

Jack's expression fell slightly. He glanced at her hand. "I don't see a ring. This bum didn't even buy you a ring?"

I straightened slightly. "Well…I was going to buy one soon—"

Ms. Howard laughed cheerfully. "But I keep telling him, that all we need is our love to sustain us," she told Jack. She looked at me affectionately. "Isn't that right, dear?"

"Uh, yes…my love," I said. "That's right."

Jack scratched his head. "Um…okay. I gotta get out of here before my head explodes from confusion." He laughed, getting up from the table. "Dixon Hill getting married? I never would have believed it. But I've got to point out that we've always had the same good taste in women." he said, putting his hat back on his head.

He nudged Cramer, who was still eyeing me and Beverly with distrust. "Let's get out of here, Lieutenant," Jack said, clapping him on the back.

Cramer pointed at me. "There's an arson investigation underway in that warehouse fire, Hill. Don't be surprised if we call you again to come down and identify some personal items we found outside the building after the fire. Better stay in town," he added.

I nodded, but said nothing. The two detectives turned to leave, but something made me call after Jack. He seemed normal enough. But after all the strange things happening in this city, I needed to know that he had noticed what was happening too. "Jack, why are people disappearing?" I suddenly blurted out.

Jack turned and fixed me with the strangest stare, and it didn't seem like my friend looking back at me. Then he smiled. "What do you mean, Dix?"

I walked over to my window and pointed out into the street. "Jack, the streets are practically deserted. Where the hell have all the people gone?"

Jack glanced at Cramer and then back at me. "Dix…I don't know what you mean. If this is some kind of joke…."

I slammed my palm down on the windowsill. "Jack about twenty goddamn tanks just rolled through the streets just before you showed up. And they weren't tanks like in the War, Jack. They were grey and they almost seemed like living creatures. Now are you going to tell me you didn't see them?"

Jack glanced around the room at everyone as though they might all be in on my practical joke. He adjusted his hat and then looked at me seriously. "Dix, I strongly recommend you get some sleep, my friend. Because what you're saying makes no damn sense." He shut the door softly behind him as they left.