Thomas O`Callaghan - The Screaming Room

“We’re pressed for time. Continue on. The young lady was told to expect us at precisely 1:15.” Lost to his thoughts he added, “You know it’s been a long time since I met a young lady at her workplace. Well, near her workplace, in this case.”

“Those must have been the days, sir.”

“Some memorable moments, Eddie. To be sure. It’s sort of strikes me as ironic, though.”

“How’s that, sir?”

“Eddie, we’ve been together, what, fifteen, sixteen years? I feel we can speak candidly. This will take us back a good number of years, but the last time I met a young lady during her lunch hour, I had something other than food in mind. It took a great deal of coaxing to have her join me in the backseat of my automobile, where we could explore other ways of killing an hour. If you know what I mean.”

“I believe I do, sir.”

In the reflection afforded by the Lincoln’s rearview mirror, Shewster caught the fraternal smile that had erupted on his chauffeur’s face. “I suppose some customs haven’t changed all that much over the years. Nor will they ever.”

“I’d say you’re right on both counts, sir.”

“The ironic part, Eddie, is that I’m already in the backseat and the young lady we’re going to meet will have no qualms whatsoever about joining me. Of course, we’ll be back here talking, instead of…well, you know.”

“Of course, sir. We’re approaching the intersection, now. You said she’d be in front of a Duane Reade on the northwestern corner. Is that correct, sir?’

“That’s right. I’m told the young lady’s name is Rita. I’m looking forward to meeting her. We’ll have much to discuss. Yes, Eddie, the backseat has always been a comfortable place for me to conduct business. Back in the day, in a different fashion, of course, but I’m sure this afternoon’s rendezvous will be a rewarding experience nonetheless.”

The privacy glass slid up as Eddie pulled the limo to the curb in front of the drugstore where a generously proportioned young woman appeared to be waiting.

Eddie lowered the passenger-side window. “Rita?” he asked.

“That’d be me.”

Eddie smiled, got out of the limo, and came around to open the rear door of the Lincoln.

“Hi,” a cheerful voice sounded from within. “I’m Malcolm. Come on in.”

“Whad’ya mean she stepped out?” Driscoll barked.

Josh Gribbens, an embarrassed precinct detective, searched the Lieutenant’s face seeking sympathy. He found none. “Her supervisor said she ducked out to pick up a prescription. The Crenshaw woman told her she’d be right back.”

“She wasn’t instructed that none of the employees were to leave? Especially Miss Crenshaw?”

“This woman-her supervisor. She’s a bit of a flake.”

“Which one is she?”

Gribbens offered to introduce Driscoll, who declined, saying, “Just point her out,” which he did.

Driscoll and Margaret approached the woman, who was clad in a red apron and was standing near the entrance to the store. She was a buxom blonde. Driscoll thought she resembled Billie Burke, the actress who played Glinda, the good witch in The Wizard of Oz. Her chest-high name tag, which seemed to jut itself forward as he drew near, read “Adeline.”

Oh, boy! thought Margaret.

“Is there anything in particular you two are here to purchase?” asked the woman, casting a gentle smile. “We’ve got fourteen aisles. Everybody gets lost. I’d gladly assist you to the correct one.”

She even sounded like Billie Burke, with her whispery voice and gentle intonation, thought Driscoll.

Oh, boy, oh, boy! thought Margaret.

To the woman’s astonishment, Driscoll produced his shield and introduced himself. He didn’t introduce Aligante. This pleased the Sergeant. She let her shield do the talking and left it at that.

“Silly me,” said Adeline. “Here I thought you were newlyweds looking for an entertainment center.”

Margaret’s eyes crossed.

“I’ll bet you’re here to see Rita,” the woman said, as though the thought just descended from a cloud.

“That’s correct, ma’am. I’m told you know where she is.”

“I did. But now I don’t.” The edges of her lips curled downward. Her eyes were fixed on Driscoll.

“Well, Sweet Adeline, care to expound on that?” said Margaret.

Driscoll sensed he was in the middle of a cross fire. The woman’s immediate response, a curt smile and the look of guile, confirmed that. Fearing an all-out cat fight, he took to the questioning.

“When was it you last saw Miss Crenshaw?”

“About fifteen minutes ago.”

“Were all these policemen here?”

“Yes.”

“Did anyone of them speak to you?”

“Oh, yes. They asked the same question you did.”

“And how did you respond?”

“By explaining that Rita had stepped up the street to pick up some medication and that she’d be right back.”

“And that was fifteen minutes ago.”

“That’s right.” The little-girl look reappeared on her face. She shifted her feet. Driscoll was certain she was trying to get Margaret out of her field of vision.

“And the thought never occurred to say anything to any of these officers?” Margaret asked, brusquely.

“No,” she answered flatly, her eyes still fixed on Driscoll.

Adeline’s attention was drawn to an anorexic-looking female dressed in a PC Haven apron. She checked her watch. “Sarah, what are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be at lunch?”

“I switched with Rita.”

“What?”

“She said she was going to tell ya.”

Judging from the shock that filled Adeline’s face, Rita apparently hadn’t. Driscoll wondered why.

“Great! Just great!” Margaret griped, throwing her arms in the air as she walked away.

“Boy, oh boy, am I happy for you,” said Adeline.

“Oh, yeah? Why’s that?” Driscoll, though annoyed, didn’t see the benefit in blasting the airhead.

“I had you two as newlyweds. Count your blessings.”

Driscoll shook his head, did an about-face, and sought to speak with Sarah. He turned and asked a final question. “Does Rita have a cell phone and would you have the number?”

The woman shook her head. Driscoll thanked her and headed off to locate Sarah.

“If I give you my number, would you call me?” Adeline called out.

Driscoll turned and looked at the woman. He said nothing but a host of emotions erupted. Being single is gonna take time getting used to, he thought.

“Well,” said Adeline, “now that it turns out you’re not married to Miss Sunshine, and you’re not wearing a ring, I thought…maybe…”

Driscoll smiled, but decided it’d be a better idea to find Sarah.

Although the announcement over the store’s loudspeaker brought the young lady to Driscoll, Sarah wouldn’t have been hard to find. Not only did she appear anorexic but also her hair was filled with shocks of blue, and she sported rainbow suspenders. Cracking chewing gum added to her appeal.

After a check of the industrial clock hanging above the store’s entrance, Sarah said, “She’s not due back for another thirty minutes.”

“Would you know where Rita was headed?”

“’Fraid not.”

“Got her cell number?” Driscoll asked.

“She doesn’t have a phone.”

“Okay. Is there a particular luncheonette or coffee shop nearby that would be a usual spot for her?”

“Not any I’d know about. She often buys a hot dog and a soda from Sam, though. He’s got an aluminum stand near the bus stop on Tenth.”

“Would she bring it back here?”

“Never seen her do that. She often heads for the library around the corner on Fifty-eighth. You’re not supposed to bring food in, but no one says anything. You might find her there. She’s got red hair and keeps the work bib on.”