S. Tooley - When the dead speak

Emptying a packet of sugar into his cup, Lincoln said, “Even your precinct wasn’t safe today.” Jake and Frank peered inquisitively at him over the rim of their beer glasses. “Allow me to introduce myself. Lincoln Thomas is my American name. My Korean name is Ling Toy.”

Tim followed Sam into Preston’s study. On the other side of the wall, in the master bedroom, Jackie was keeping Preston busy.

Tim’s eyes swept down the length of Sam’s legs. “I can’t get over how short that dress is.”

“The computer, Tim.” Sam pointed toward the desk. “And make it quick.”

Bony knees protruded below Tim’s wide-legged shorts. His high-top sneakers scraped along the carpet. Turning the computer on, he waited for the menu to appear.

Sam checked the surveillance camera. It was off. Jackie had seen to it when she arrived earlier. Sam walked over to the door that opened into the bedroom and pressed her ear against it. The sexy throbbing of an Enigma tune radiated through the door.

The gold sequined top slithered slowly down Jackie’s body. She stepped out of it and kicked it to one side. Leaning forward, she exposed her ample cleavage toward Preston. His glass was almost empty and his eyelids were growing heavy. He moved around in the chair, shook his head, widened his eyes as the effects of the sleeping powder took hold.

There was a footstool by a makeup table. Jackie swayed over to the stool and propped up one leg. She eyed Preston playfully as she slowly rolled the nylon stocking down one leg. After stepping out of her shoes, she peeled the nylons off and tossed them aside.

She eyed a silk scarf on the dressing table and picked it up, held it out with both hands, draped it around her shoulders, pulled it down across her breasts.

Preston’s head was starting to bob. Jackie let one strap of her teddy slide down her arm as she moved closer to Preston. She lifted the empty glass from his hand and set it on the nightstand. She stepped back, dropped the front of her teddy to her waist, and shook her massive breasts. When Preston didn’t react, Jackie said, “I do believe, Sugar, you are either dead or asleep.”

“Jezzus, Sam. What is this?” Tim stared at the pictures on the screen. He had used Preston’s password and accessed the lock-and-key file.

“Oh my god,” Sam gasped. “No wonder he only needed one set of those pictures. He scanned them into the computer.” She placed a hand on Tim’s shoulder. “Do me a favor and forget what you just saw,” Sam pleaded. “What did he program this computer to do? Can you tell?”

Tim’s fingers flew over the keyboard. A list appeared on the screen. “It’s programmed to send a full set of what’s in this file to every major newspaper, television station, and…”

“He planned on sending the pictures to every rag sheet, too.” Sam pulled Hap Wilson’s affidavit from her purse along with her father’s summary. She had planned to leave them on Preston’s desk for him to find in the morning but thought of a more devilish plan. She pointed to the piece of equipment on the two-drawer filing cabinet next to the desk. “What does this thing do?”

“That’s the scanner. You place the sheets in there and it scans it into the computer.”

Sam smiled. “And you can delete what he currently has in there?” When Tim nodded, Sam said, “Wonderful.”

She heard two raps on the door to the bedroom.

Poking her head around the door, Jackie announced, “All ready for you.”

The two women struggled with the dead weight of a sleeping Preston Hilliard. They got the top half of him into the bed, then swung his legs up and over.

Jackie positioned Preston, removing enough of his robe to prove he had nothing on underneath while still leaving vital parts covered. Sam slipped out of the blue dress, revealing a royal blue teddy.

“Have the camera?” Sam asked as she crawled into bed next to Preston.

“All set, girlfriend. This is going to be soooo much fun.”

Preston was propped up by three satin-covered pillows. Wrapping one of his arms around her shoulder, Sam leaned her head back, positioned the necklace so the lightning bolt pendant was in full view, then moved Preston’s right hand to her upper thigh.

Jackie snapped pictures as she giggled. Sam moved Preston’s head to her chest, pressed his head in close, and repositioned the necklace so it wasn’t covered.

“Now lean your head back and close your eyes like you are in complete ecstasy,” Jackie suggested.

“Oh, please. I’m going to puke.” But Sam did it anyway. “You are taking two sets of everything, right?”

“That’s right. One set for you. And one set that we are going to leave right here on his dresser.”

The women dressed quickly, covered Preston with the bedspread, left one set of pictures on the dresser, and returned to the study.

“All done?” Sam asked.

Tim grinned. “This is some of my best work ever.”

“Yeh, baby. I’ll be home shortly. Abby’s packin’ us a late snack.” Frank winked at Abby as he spoke with Claudia on his cellular phone. “Did you tell Justin I’ll read him two stories tomorrow since I missed out tonight?… Okay, Sweetheart. See you soon.” He hung up the phone and joined Jake at the counter.

Jake stirred his coffee with deliberation. He and Frank had deposited Lincoln Thomas and his luggage in Carl’s suite. Lincoln’s signed affidavit confirmed what Hap Wilson had written about Mushima Valley. Carl needed time to figure out his next step. Until then, he had instructed Jake to still not share any information with Sam.

“Did Sam say when she’d be home?” Frank asked Abby.

“She said she was going to see a friend of hers — Jackie.”

They heard voices at the back door, laughing, school-girl giggling.

“You should keep the dress, Sam. You never know when you and Preston might have another date,” Jackie said.

When they reached the doorway to the kitchen, the two women stopped. Frank, Jake, and Abby stared in amazement.

“Jackie,” Abby said suddenly, her eyes taking in the short length of Sam’s dress. “I don’t believe you’ve met Jake Mitchell and Frank Travis.”

“My, my.” Jackie stretched her long talons toward them. “Hello, boys. Why didn’t they have guys like you when the cops busted me in my youth?”

Frank smiled broadly, finding it hard to peel his eyes from Jackie’s well-endowed figure, Donna Summer hair, and appealing smile.

“What’s this about Preston?” Jake asked abruptly.

“Preston. I almost forgot.” Jackie reached into her purse and pulled out the pictures.

“NO!” Sam said quickly, but she was too late. Jake grabbed the pictures.

“WOW! Frank yelled from over Jake’s shoulder. Abby leaned over the counter to have a look, then turned away, a smile spreading over her face.

The necklace was in plain sight in all of the pictures. It was difficult for anyone to tell that Preston was not in control of his faculties.

Jake threw the pictures on the counter yelling, “SHIT!” He leaped to his feet. “You better tell me this is the only set.”

“Uh, oh.” Jackie took one step backward. “I think this is my cue.” She pointed at Sam’s feet. “My two-hundred-dollar shoes, girlfriend.”

“Three hours ago they were worth one hundred and fifty,” Sam argued, stepping out of the royal blue heels.

“Inflation, baby.” Jackie gave a wave of her hand to the guys saying, “Nice meeting you.” To Abby she said, “Nice seeing you again.”

Frank raised a finger as if a light bulb switched on in his head. He looked at Jackie and asked, “Do you deal blackjack by any chance?”