and me to go over the case in a way we never would have. It may have been dumb luck, but it never would have happened without you.”
“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves boys, this is weak as hell. If I were you guys, I’d do as Mooney suggested. If you go to the chief and you’re wrong, you’d make us all look like fools. I can hear Tony and Max laughing now. Personally I don’t need the grief. If you’re right, you two are up for commendations and a pay jump.”
“If we get lucky, we’re all up for commendations Mavis. You’re part of this, that’s the way Mooney and I play it.”
“Then it’s settled, we’ll stake out the intersection of East Thirty First Street and Wilcox from around 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. Hell, we don’t have anything better to do, besides that’s right around the corner from the Shady Cage,” I said in an authoritative tone.
CHAPTER THREE
Mavis seemed somewhat taken aback and genuinely touched by Miles comment about sharing the credit. It was the first time I’d ever seen her get emotional. She nodded, wished us well and quickly exited the conference room without another word.
“Mooney, what the hell got into her?”
“You ever realize how people treat her? We’re probably the closest friends she’s got and we hardly know her.”
“Yeah, I hope it works out. She could use a break.”
“Miles, let’s go over the map one more time so we can pick our best spot for the stakeout.”
“Mooney, you think we should ask the chief for more uniforms in the area?”
“No. The chief will only ask more questions and besides more uniforms in the area could spook our boy. Remember, in battle victory is gained by surprise. Let’s just play it out on our own.”
“Who the hell said ‘victory is gained by surprise,’ Churchill? I know damn well you didn’t just come up with that line.”
“No, my father always said it. Served him well in a number of big court cases.”
“That’s the first time I ever remember you mentioning him. Want to talk about it?”
“Miles, please don’t try and analyze me. We’ve got work to do. Let’s get the hell out of here and get on the road, time’s running short.”
Miles had to go back to his desk, so I followed him back into the office and got a quick drink at the water cooler. My mouth was parched and the cool drink went down well. As I turned for the door, I was abruptly stopped by a large hand on my chest. Slick Tony was blocking my path and he was in my face, up close.
“Tell me Mooney, the lesbo give you any new insights into the case or are you just changing teams.”
“Actually she did, Tony.”
“Want to share it with Max and me?”
“No, it’d be a waste of time.”
“Say what? I’m not good enough to talk to, but some lesbo dike is?”
I didn’t like him in my face; hell I didn’t like him anyway. I forced myself to respond in a reserved tone, not wanting him to know that I was burning inside with rage at his cheap shots about Mavis, “You’ve got it, take it anyway you want.”
“Well I want to know why? Tell me why I’m not good enough and Mavis is?”
There were plenty of reasons, but I thought I’d bring up the one that would anger Tony the most.
“You remember six months ago that nasty scene over on the roof of Papa Who’s bar? Mavis was right there when Miles and I needed her. You and Max were no shows. The way I hear it, you stopped short to tie your shoelaces and Max was so close to you he almost clipped you from behind. That a good enough answer for you?”
By this time our voices were raised and we were attracting attention. Miles shot over from his desk and tried to get between us. Miles, ever the peacemaker, spoke up in an agitated tone, “Come on, chill out, there’s no reason for this.”
“I’ll give you one Miles: how about your big mouth partner saying I was in Jew Cohan’s pocket. What did you think; the chief wasn’t going to tell me? You think he’s gonna turn my picture to the wall. You piece of shit, I ought to take you outside and beat your balls off.”
Tony’s nostrils were flaring like an old bull in heat, his head looked like a thermometer ready to burst. I don’t know about my appearance, but my fists were clenched and I was ready to spring. It had been a long time coming, I was going to enjoy this.
“Let’s step outside Tony, just me and you. You can bring Max along, he’ll be handy when they load your sorry ass into the ambulance.”
That’s when Miles jumped me from behind and the chief came running out of the office. The only one who got hurt was Miles, the peacemaker, when I threw him off me. The poor bastard caught the edge of a desk, putting a nasty gash over his left eye. After the brouhaha, order was restored, and the chief took Tony and Max back into his office. Miles and I went down to the first floor so Miles could have his wound dressed by the sarge.
Once that was out of the way, we went down to the motor pool, grabbed an unmarked car, and headed out. Miles was not in a good mood. He didn’t say a word for the first ten blocks. It was just as well, I didn’t feel like talking.
Reluctantly, I broke the ice, “Sorry about the eye, Miles.”
“You’re sorry, how the hell do you think I feel? Why? Why do you always have to bust his balls?”
“I don’t know, take your pick. Could have been the comments about Mavis. Could have been the meeting with the chief. Could have been Tony and Max’s side deal with Jew Cohan. Could have been this case. I really don’t know. You’re the shrink in training, I kind of hoped you’d be able to tell me.”
“I think you’re pissed off at the job and yourself.”
“What the hell are you talking about?”
“You’re pissed off because you know you’re better than them. You know that first grade promotion should be yours. You’re pissed off because of the system. You want more.”
“More what, Miles?”
“Glory, adulation, respect, acceptance.”
“You’re full of shit. That’s enough psycho babble for one night, change the channel partner.”
“You don’t want to hear the truth. All right, I’ll change the channel. So tell me about this mystery woman? She good in bed?” Miles asked with a full grin.
Returning his smile, I answered, “Miles, a true southern gentlemen would never respond to so coarse a question.”
“Is that a yes or a no?”
“Let me just say, from my years of experience, that the worst night of sex that I’ve ever had was still real good. Let’s just leave it at that.”
Miles
