Chapter 18 - Endless Day Turns into Endless Night

Lee stared at the place where he'd parked the Cobra. He then paced up and down the block wondering if his memory of where he parked could have been faulty. No, even in his worn out state, he was certain. He returned to the parking spot again. Stolen! It had to have been.

Lee knew he had to report the theft to the police, but he dreaded dealing with them after things with Detective Black had gone so badly earlier. He also worried the cops would know about the club near where he'd parked. He dreaded being associated with it, but what else could he do? And now that he was off base, what if Detective Black tried to haul him in for questioning? "Damn it!" Lee cursed aloud as he walked to the nearest pay phone.

"Try B&D towing by the airport."

"What? My car was stolen."

"Nope. You were six inches into the yellow zone."

"You're kidding me. A whole six inches?"

"Law's the law. They only take cash."

"How much?"

"Between $75 and $125 would be my guess."

"Just great!" Lee slammed down the phone. His next call was for a cab. He hoped the twenty left in his wallet would be enough.

The cab ride wiped out Lee's cash. He'd have to beg or borrow to get through until his bank opened later in the morning, assuming he could get to a branch of his bank without a car. Lee stopped at the desk. "I'm in 526. Any messages?"

"Yes, sir. You've apparently been much missed tonight." The night clerk handed Lee a raft of messages.

Lee took the pile and headed to the elevator. That's when he remembered he hadn't yet even visited his own room. His suitcase was still in Roger's room. Lee checked his watch. He decided not to disturb Roger so late. He'd manage until morning.

When Lee entered his room, he flipped through his messages. "Just checking in. Call me tonight. Saul Jackson." "Touch base soon. Nelson." "Saul Jackson. Meet him at R.C.'s apartment at 8 a.m." "Hey tall, dark and handsome. Call me later! Or just visit. Rhonda, 235." "Just got word. So sorry. Need anything, call me. Chip." "Worried about you. Call anytime. Nelson."

Lee quickly debated whether to return any calls. It was 3:00 a.m. No. All he wanted was to shower, a long hot shower to end the day that wouldn't end. Afterward, one naked, exhausted sub captain quickly succumbed to sleep in the luxurious comfort of the hotel's high end linens.

Lee dreamed something was ringing. Bells? Buoys? Whatever it was, it didn't stop, not until Lee rolled over and his arm knocked the phone off the hook.

"Lee, Lee, are you there lad?"

"Damn."

"Lee, is that you? Is everything okay?"

Lee dragged his weary arm along the floor, fished up the curly phone cord and pulled until he had the receiver in hand. "Admiral?"

"Yes, you were supposed to call me back. I was worried about you."

"Sorry. Sleep was a priority, but I've had a good 45 minutes of it now. What's up?"

"Here? Nothing. You want me to stay out of it?"

"I appreciate your willingness to help, but I don't think there's anything for you to do just now."

"Did you pack enough clothes?"

"The hotel has a laundry service."

"Do you have enough money?"

"At least forty-six cents."

"I'll wire you some. What else do you need?"

"Depends on how much it takes to get my car back. They charge per day, don't they?"

"Who charges?"

"The impound lot. It was towed."

"Why?"

"I was six inches over the curb marking. Given how tired I am, I was probably lucky I wasn't on the sidewalk."

"Where is your car?"

"Some lot near the airport, B&D or D&B, something like that. I don't have time to deal with it. I've got to meet someone early tomorrow. Today." Lee rubbed his forehead. "Admiral, no offense, but if I don't get some shuteye, I'm not going to be good for anything later."

"Okay, okay. I hear you. Go to sleep. I'll make arrangements for your car and cash."

"I'm a big boy. I can handle my responsibilities."

"You're trying to save everyone else, Lee. You could accept a little help."

"Sure, admiral. Thanks. Sleep, please?"

"Okay. Just stay in touch."

"Yes, Mother."

Lee blindly felt for the receiver, but it was out of reach. He pulled on the cord again until he hauled the base onto the bed and depressed the receiver. He pushed the illuminated "0". "I need a wake up call at 0700. Be persistent, please." Lee left the phone on the edge of the large bed and rolled away from it.

At 0710, a knock on Lee's door accomplished what the ringing phone had not: waking him up. "Damn," Lee cursed, realizing he was naked. "Who is it?"

"Wake up call and coffee, sir."

"Thanks. Would you mind just leaving the coffee? I'm not decent yet."

"No problem, sir."

Nice stiff upper lip for no tip, Lee chuckled, as if his forty-six cents would have been appreciated anyway. Lee threw on the hotel robe - he could be tempted to steal this one - and retrieved the coffee. Coffee. Not sludge. Lee quaffed the pot, stopping only to call Roger.

"Good morning."

"If you say so, but my head says otherwise."

"No, it's just been one long nightmare, buddy. Listen, I need my bag. Would you mind bringing it to me so I don't have to travel the halls in a robe?"

"You were wearing clothes last I saw you. You lose them in a strip poker game or something?"

"No, but where they've been, well, I'd rather not wear them until they've been sterilized."

"Rhonda and Mimi in one night. That was a lot to tackle. Did you escape with your virtue in tact?"

"That's about all that was left in tact."

"Be there in a minute for the scoop."

"Good. While you're at it, bring your keys."

"Keys to what?"

"Car, apartment too."

Roger appeared in minutes. He looked as wrung out as Lee expected. "What's going on and why do you want my keys?"

"I'm supposed to meet Saul Jackson at your apartment in a half hour. I need your car to get there and I figure you'd prefer we use the key to enter rather than break and enter. Suit yourself."

Saul handed over his keys. "These are for the apartment. The valet has the car keys. Park in it space 14 so it doesn't get towed. What are you looking for in my apartment?"

"Beats me. Clues, I guess."

"Think I should come?"

"No, I'll call if we have questions."

"Should I get a lawyer?"

Lee shook his head in the negative.

"You find out anything interesting last night?"

"Some leads, nothing earth shaking."

"Me either."

"No one's going to speak ill of the deceased to the groom on the wedding day."

"I didn't say I learned nothing."

"Anything you want to share?"

"Only that I may have been a little naive about Mel."

"No fooling, Sherlock. We'll talk later."

"Lee, I'm worried about Rachael, but I don't want to mess up anything you're doing. Do you think it's okay to go check on her?"

"Your best friend who just killed your fiancee? I think you'd best stick to phone calls for now. The press will be all over this today."

"I hate this."

"Me too, but that isn't going to help us. Now give me directions to your place. I don't have a clue where you live!"