James Conway - In Cold Blonde

“Then I guess Mirabelle’s Meatballs is out of luck.”

Ramirez’s face fell. “But…”

Ryan laughed. “Just kidding. It’ll be the first thing I give to the CPA.”

“Thanks, Ryan.”

“We may not have DNA on her,” Hanrahan said. “But we may be just a few minutes from getting a look at her. The desk clerk who checked Mr. Devlin in is going through the hotel security videos to see if they’ve got the Lady in Red on camera. So with any luck…”

Liz stood up. “Ryan, tell me again about this foundation of yours.”

“I’ve decided to give away most of the Lotto money. Friends and family have first shot at it. But nothing frivolous, just people in need of a life changing monetary infusion.”

A surprised Liz looked at Syd. “When did it happen?”

“When did what happen?”

“When did Ryan lose his mind?”

Ryan was confused. “Liz, I thought you’d like the idea. When I was a kid, I remember you nagging Dad at the holidays to give money to the United Way, Salvation Army, Red Cross.”

“That’s right. I wanted him to give money to professional charitable organizations who knew how to equitably distribute the money. But let’s back up a bit. Why the hell do you feel the need to give the money away in the first place?”

Ryan and Syd exchanged a quick look and then Ryan said, “It just seems a bit… obscene. Thirty-four million dollars. That’s way too much for one person.”

“I’ll take ten million off your hands,” Hanrahan said.

“Count me in for five,” an SID tech said.

“And I’ll take the rest if you insist,” Liz said. “Look, Ryan, the truth is you’re in shock. Anyone would be. Winning that much money is beyond your comprehension, you’re justifiably confused. So do me a favor; before you piss away your windfall, just stick it in the bank and wait. Put your brain on simmer and let the implications of all that money marinate for a little while. Your life has just changed forever and you’re going to need time to adjust. Find a new equilibrium. Then in six months, a year, if you still want to give it away, there will be plenty of takers, believe me.”

“Talk about a buzz kill,” Hanrahan muttered.

Ryan respected Liz and under normal circumstances would have listened to her. But the only way in Ryan’s mind to assuage the guilty he felt taking the money in the first place was the rationalization that he’d be giving it away. “Liz, I respect your opinion, I do, but Anne and I have given this a lot of thought and — ”

“Anne?” asked Liz. “As in ex-wife Anne?”

“That’s right.”

“When did she get back in the picture?” Liz asked distastefully.

Before Ryan could answer, a uniform guarding the door waved, trying to get their attention. In the hallway behind him Ryan saw an older woman standing with a small dog in her arms.

“I think we’re being paged,” Hanrahan said. He headed for the door, Ryan followed.

Syd remained with Liz. The way Liz had said Anne, was filled with attitude, and Syd realized that if anyone could give her the real story of what happened between Ryan and Anne, it was Liz. “Liz, could I talk with you privately?”

Liz looked at her, curiously. “Sure.” She led them to a corner of the room.

Syd spoke quietly, “I’d like to ask you something in confidence.”

“Okay,” Liz answered, warily.

“What happened between Anne and Ryan? What happened to their marriage?”

“I was afraid you were going to ask me that.”

“Afraid, why?”

“Because you and Ryan are a great team. But if you’re dating, it’s just a matter of time until Hanrahan finds out and is forced to spilt you up.”

“Getting a new partner is the least of my problems right now. Ryan reteaming with Anne is at the top of my list.”

“Reteaming how?”

“Anne’s going to run the foundation for Ryan. So they’ll be spending all sorts of time together. And, she’s getting a divorce. Should I be worried?”

Liz answered instantly. “Oh, yeah.”

“Why?”

“What did Ryan tell you about their marriage?”

“That they were kids; after a couple of years they realized it was a mistake and split up. He didn’t make it sound like a very big deal.”

Liz shook her head. “Men. If men would learn to vocalize their feelings, they’d live longer and we’d all be happier.”

“So what happened?”

“If you tell him I told you this, I’ll take a skull saw to your sweet little neck.”

“Pinkie promise.” Syd took out her notebook, flipped it open, started writing notes.

“What’re you doing?”

“If Ryan looks over, it’ll look like I’m working. So what happened?”

“She broke his heart. Called him up one day, said she’d met someone else and never went back to their apartment. Her new boyfriend sent movers to clean out her stuff. Ryan never got over it. It’s been like seven years, and he hasn’t had a serious girlfriend since. A few dates here and there, but I think he’s been afraid to commit. I think he’s afraid he’s going to be hurt again. How long have you guys been involved?”

“A month.”

“That’s a modern day record for Ryan.”

“And I’m crazy about him.”

“He cares about you, too. I can tell.”

That pleased Syd. “Really?”

“I see the way he looks at you. There is that lovely mix of admiration and adoration. God, I miss that.”

“What’s Anne like?”

“Let me put it this way. The first time Ryan brought Anne to my house, she spent the entire dinner asking me how much things cost. How much had I paid for the house? How much for the couch? My Lexus. My necklace. She was obsessed with money. And if you ask me, that’s why she left Ryan. When they got married, his dad was rich. Ryan was on track to become a lawyer, too. The future was gold-plated. Then his dad lost all his money. It didn’t seem to matter to Ryan, but Anne was beside herself; you’d have thought it was her money that disappeared. Then she meets Rick Rogers, rich Rick Rogers, and Ryan’s out and Rick is in.”

“But now Ryan’s suddenly rich,” Syd said.

“Richer than rich,” Liz said. “Anne suddenly reappears in Ryan’s life and is getting divorced. Coincidence?”

Every fear Syd had was suddenly confirmed. “So what do I do?”

Liz looked past Syd to Ryan. “I love that boy, but he’s got a soft spot in his heart and head for Anne.” Liz looked back at Syd. “You want the truth?”

No, Syd thought, because it doesn’t sound like I’ll like it. But she nodded.

“He’s always loved Anne. He’ll always love Anne. If she wants him back, he’s hers.”

The words hit Syd like a body blow. She didn’t just want Ryan. She wanted Ryan to love her. Pick her over Anne. And if Liz was right, that would never happen.

“He’s waving at you,” Liz said.

“What?” Syd asked, jolted out of her reverie.

“Ryan, he’s signaling to you.”

Syd turned. Ryan waved for her to join him. Syd looked back to Liz. “Thanks for your honesty. I think.”

“Maybe I’m wrong. I hope I’m wrong, I really do.”

“Me, too.” Syd closed the notebook, joined Ryan, Hanrahan and the older woman in the hallway.

“Syd,” Ryan said. “This is Edna Kaye, she saw the Lady in Red. Talked to her.”

That fact jolted Syd’s love life to the backburner; she was first and foremost a cop. Syd extended her hand, “Nice to meet you, I’m Detective Syd Curtis.”

Maggie, the dog, barked as Syd extended her hand. “Quiet, Maggie,” Edna said, taking Syd’s hand. “Sorry, she’s gets a little excited sometimes.”