Free The Arx by Jay Allan Storey Page A

I had a couple of ideas. They weren’t all that serious.”
    “Like what?”
    “You sure this isn’t a session?”
    “Don’t get defensive, Frank. It’s just a friendly conversation.”
    Frank made one last swirl and took a drink. He turned to her. “You promise you won’t laugh.”
    “Of course.”
    “For a while I wanted to be a singer – you know, like Sinatra or Michael Buble or something.”
    Rebecca smiled.
    “You promised,” he reminded her.
    “I’m just trying to picture you in a sequined suit at the Tropicana in Vegas. Look, I think that’s wonderful Frank. I knew there was more to you than I could see on the surface. So you’re a musician?”
    “Used to play piano. Haven’t touched one in years. Don’t even own one anymore. I was just a kid. You know how it is. You figure it’ll probably never happen, but it gives you something to dream about.”
    She smiled at him. “You’re a funny guy, you know, Frank. You come on with this cliché macho cop persona, but you’re not a typical cop at all, are you?”
    “Hey, being a man doesn’t mean you’ve gotta be ignorant – not all the time, anyway…” he laughed.
    “But I’ll bet not many of ‘the boys’ at the squad are like you.”
    “I’m not sure whether I should be flattered or insulted.”
    Rebecca smiled at him. “Be flattered.”
    “How come I’m doing all the talking here?” he said. “I should have a chance to dig into your past. When did you first realize you hated your dog?”
    Rebecca laughed.
    They talked for a while about her parents, both dead and buried in Montreal, where she grew up.
    “At least they didn’t live to see what happened to Gloria,” she said, her voice breaking.
    “Do you mind talking about her?” he said.
    She looked down at her feet. “No, it’s okay.”
    “Were you two close?” he asked.
    “I’ve always been a bit of a mother to her. I guess I’m a typical social worker, with the mothering instinct. She was the type of person that needed someone looking out for them. I guess I blew it as a mother.”
    “There’s nothing you could have done,” Frank said. He had the impulse to take her hand, but he was afraid of how she’d react. “Sometimes stuff just happens.”
    For a few minutes they watched the traffic go by.
    Finally Rebecca spoke. “I know I’ve been hard on you. It’s not that I don’t appreciate the help; it’s just that I’m worried about you.”
    “I can take care of myself. Anyway, I’m not just doing it for you. Like I said, I hate to see people get away with stuff like that – and I feel like I owe it to Gloria.”
    “What do you plan to do next?”
    “There’s not much to go on, and we don’t have any resources. I’ve used up most of my favours at the squad, and I don’t think I got any new fans after that last visit.”
    There was a cracking sound and he opened his clenched fist to reveal a crushed plastic cup. He glanced at Rebecca sheepishly. She said nothing.
    “Give me yours,” he said. He stood up and held out his hand.
    He tossed the cups in the garbage and returned. “We start with the usual: who knew Gloria, who had access to her apartment, who had a motive… and we hope something turns up.”

 
     
     
     
     
     
    Gloria's Apartment
     
    “You’re getting to be a regular here, Frank,” Judy smiled the next day as he stuck his head in the office door.
    “I just come to see you,” Frank teased her.
    “Why, you’ll turn my head with such talk,” she laughed. She nodded toward the hallway. “She’s expecting you.”
    He headed down the hall and into Rebecca’s office. She had her hair in a ponytail. For a few seconds he was hypnotized by her long neck and the curve of her jaw. The hairstyle changed the character of her face completely, making it younger and more innocent. It wasn’t a look Frank normally went for, but on her he found it striking.
    Judy brought them coffee. When she was gone Rebecca closed the door.
    “The guys