A/N – So does everyone know who did it? I do! LOL! Okay, that's mean. Maybe this chapter will help out and give you a clue! Leave me a review so I know what you're thinking!

Chapter 10 – Knowing Something

Maxie

I was starting to get tired of Cooper's questions. Everything seemed to be an accusation. It's like he thought I was keeping something from him. Or knew I was.

"Alright, so you and Spinelli danced, right?" Cooper asked.

"Yes, to a few songs," I answered.

"What happened after that?" Cooper wondered.

"You came in," I muttered...

Cooper had busted in acting like a super cop and I was motionless. This was not a good situation. I saw another officer come in the back door, telling Cooper about a victim. I strained my ears to hear their conversation.

"Do you have an ID?" Cooper questioned, walking closer to the other cop.

"It's Dante," I made out, reading the cop's lips.

Cooper's face showed surprise and I made sure mine did, too. I glanced towards Spinelli and wondered if he knew what I did.

"Cooper," Lulu called and he turned to her.

I tuned out of their conversation to watch the guy who Lulu had been all over all night. He didn't seem to like Lulu talking to anyone other than him. But, he was very interested in catching every word that was said between the two.

"Lulu, I don't see why you have to so early," Cooper replied. "It's not like you're a suspect. There's no reason you won't be able to try this case in the future."

I wondered why Lulu would want off of this case. I guessed that she, like me, was just happy Dante was gone. She didn't care to know who killed him. I glanced back at her mystery man and noticed a strange look on his face. He was staring at Lulu like he was seeing her for the first time. Cooper and Lulu finished their conversation and I observed the silent exchange between Lulu and her almost lover. It wasn't really pleasant, but I could still see their urge to be together.

"Everyone needs to be questioned," Cooper said, looking at the other officer from before. "I'll handle it. You stay with forensics."

I felt Spinelli looking at me and I turned to him.

"Maximista seems very interested in the Unknown Suitor," Spinelli whispered.

"I'm just watching him watch Lulu to try to see how serious he is about her," I explained. "And the answer is pretty serious. He looks like he wants to kill Cooper just for talking to Lulu."

"Does Maximista think the Unknown Suitor is the violent kind?" Spinelli wondered.

I considered the question and watched him a little more. He didn't strike me as a guy who would ever hurt a woman, but he wasn't someone you wanted to upset. It was something around the eyes. Cooper began questioning him and I listened in.

"What's your name?" Cooper asked him.

"Johnny," he muttered.

"Do you have a last name?" Cooper asked, sounding annoyed.

"Zacchara," Johnny mumbled and my eyes grew large.

Johnny Zacchara. The supposed crazed murderer, Johnny Zacchara. Lulu sure knew how to pick them.

"Well, I guess I don't need to question anyone else," Cooper said to Johnny. "You killed Dante."

"No he didn't," Lulu spoke up.

And now Lulu was going to risk her career for him. I knew it the second I heard her voice. No matter what, she was going to stand up for Johnny. I just hoped it was worth it for her.

"Lulu, don't get involved," Johnny begged and they shared another silent exchange.

"Johnny and I have been together since he came in," Lulu said, looking at Cooper. "He couldn't have killed Dante."

"No need to stand up for your boy toy, Lulu," Cooper said.

That's when Johnny confirmed what I already knew. He did have a temper and the number one thing to set it off was someone disrespecting a woman. Or perhaps not just any woman, but a woman he considered to be his.

"Don't speak to her like that," Johnny said angrily and Lulu smiled to herself.

Cooper questioned Johnny and I turned back to Spinelli, raising an eyebrow.

"What is on the beautiful mind of Maximista?" Spinelli asked.

"You asked me before if I thought Lulu's guy was violent," I muttered. "I guess I think he is if he has to be. But he wouldn't hurt Lulu or let anyone else hurt her, for that matter."

"Then he is a most suitable suitor," Spinelli assessed and I couldn't disagree.

Cooper finished up with Johnny and I saw him start to walk towards me. I really wanted to eavesdrop on Lulu's conversation, but I knew I needed to prepare myself for Cooper's questions.

"Maxie," Cooper greeted and I looked at him.

"Cooper," I replied.

"Did you hear or see anything suspicious before I got here?" Cooper asked.

"No, I didn't," I answered.

"Did you notice Dante in here earlier?" Cooper wondered.

"Yes, I talked to him," I said, looking away.

"Did he seem anxious? Like maybe he was scared for his life?" Cooper questioned.

"No, he was as annoying as ever," I responded.

"You know, Maxie, calling a dead man annoying to the detective investigating his death is not a good thing," Cooper warned, trying to keep me out of trouble.

"I just call them like I see them," I replied and he shook his head.

"Alright, well I'd appreciate it if you stay in town this weekend," Cooper said, looking over his shoulder as Johnny left. "We'll probably want to follow up with you to see if you remember anything else later."

"Okay," I nodded and Cooper moved on to question Spinelli.

I made eye contact with Lulu and she just offered me a small smile. As much as I wanted to know the dirt about her and Johnny, I knew now was not the time. Lulu waved goodbye to me and headed for the door. I waved back and watched her leave. I turned back to Spinelli as Cooper finished up, telling him not to leave town as well.

"Is Maximista okay?" Spinelli wondered.

I nodded, but hugged him tightly. That day was going to change everything and I knew it. I just wanted to have Spinelli's warm embrace around me and not to think for a second.

"I'm fine," I whispered.

"Did the Blonde One speak with Maximista before her exit?" Spinelli questioned, noticing Lulu was gone.

"No, she just waved goodbye," I answered. "I think she has a lot on her mind."

"Most assuredly," Spinelli replied. "Her suitor was none other than the Infamous Mob Prince. The Jackal is sure that the Blonde One's mind is running amok."

"Well, she'll be fine," I said, trying to convince myself as well as Spinelli. "Lulu's smart and I'm sure she'll proceed with caution concerning Johnny."

"Maximista believes that the Blonde One will remain in contact with the Infamous Mob Prince?" Spinelli wondered.

"They were on fire for each other all night," I said, giggling a little. "Somehow, I don't think she's going to let something trivial like his line of work stop her from getting what she was after."

"Does Maximista think it possible that the Infamous Mob Prince knew of Fair Lulu's identity before their meeting?" Spinelli asked.

"Maybe, but he was genuinely interested in her regardless," I answered, walking toward the door.

Spinelli followed me and we headed for the car we had arrived in earlier. I wondered briefly if I should wait for my sister to give her a ride, but I determined that she was safe with Matt. I climbed into the driver's seat and Spinelli entered the car beside me.

"This wasn't quite the night I expected the last time I was in this car," I muttered, looking at Spinelli.

"The Jackal did not foresee the events of the night anymore than Maximista did," Spinelli replied.

"At least we have each other," I smiled.

"Maximista will always have her Jackal as long as she desires," Spinelli promised.

"It's funny, you know," Cooper said, shaking his head. "Someone was killed in the alley behind the building you were in and you were more interested in your friend's love life."

"Was I supposed to be in mourning for a guy who was nothing but rude to me in the time that I knew him?" I asked.

"No, but you should have reacted to the news that he was dead," Cooper said softly. "Unless you already knew before my team and I got there."

"So you think I killed Dante?" I asked.

"Maybe," Cooper nodded. "But I know you know who did."

I studied Cooper, but didn't say a word. If he knew so much, I didn't need to say anything. I shouldn't have said so much earlier.

"Maxie, if you know who killed Dante, just tell me and this will all be over," Cooper whispered.