“Poor ones too,” Tube Top Girl added. “They’re worse than the old rich dudes. ‘Here baby,’” she mocked. “‘I’ve got ten dollars. What’ll that get me?’”
Laughter teetered around the table.
“I got a good answer for that,” Big Hair Girl said. “He can lick my ass for ten dollars. Most nights I could use a cleanup anyways.” More of that belly-busting laughter rolled around the group.
“Cleanup on aisle brown!” someone shouted.
CJ’s escort shifted in the doorway. She smiled at him, was relatively certain he would prefer to make an early exit. CJ wouldn’t prolong his misery. She lifted her Pepsi can. “To Shelley and Celeste.” CJ surveyed those gathered around the table. “And all of you lovely ladies of Dubose Street.”
Glasses clinked with her can amid the chiming toasts.
CJ pushed back her chair and stood.
“So you leaving us, Doc?” Striped Sundress Girl asked.
“Well ...” CJ gestured to the young detective waiting at the door. “I’m sure my escort is feeling the effects of all the estrogen. I really shouldn’t prolong his misery.”
Jenkins held up both hands in surrender. “Just doing my duty, ma’am.”
“You’re really cute for a cop,” Tube Top Girl teased. She stood and twisted right up to Jenkins. “I might’ve seen you around, sweet thang.”
“I ... don’t think so, ma’am.” Jenkins managed a nervous smile.
More of that earthy laughter erupted.
“You onto something, girl.” Supertight Jeans Girl slinked over to join the other two. “This cutie pie does look a little like somebody I’ve seen before.” She looked him up and down like a lioness about to pounce on her prey.
CJ slid her chair in. She was pretty sure if she didn’t get Jenkins out of here, these ladies were going to eat him alive. “Thank you, ladies. This was the most unique memorial service I’ve ever attended.”
“Course it was,” Striped Sundress Girl said. “You on Dubose Street, girl. We’re all unique.”
Hugs were exchanged. CJ didn’t miss the relief on Jenkins’s face. He was definitely ready to get out of here.
Once they were out the door, the detective took a look around, checking the street, before escorting her to his car. He unlocked the passenger-side door and opened it for CJ. “Thank you,” she said.
He gave her one of those shy smiles and hurried around to the driver’s side. Once they were out of the village, he appeared to relax.
“I really appreciate you coming with me tonight, Detective Jenkins.”
“Not a problem, ma’am.”
Such a nice guy. She’d certainly unfairly judged HPD cops by the ones she’d known in the village as a kid.
More of that unsettling silence. Jenkins was likely tired. Braddock had kept him on surveillance duty extra-long hours. “Do you think Nash will be found?”
“I doubt it.” Jenkins slowed for a traffic signal. “He’s not going to go down easy for murders he didn’t commit.”
Surprise jarred CJ. The light changed to green and he rolled through the intersection. “You don’t think Tyrone committed these murders?” Braddock had suggested he was leaning that way as well.
The dash lights allowed CJ to see the flush of embarrassment that climbed the detective’s neck. “I ... I’m just saying that it’s possible he isn’t the one. Even Detective Braddock said as much.”
Jenkins was correct. For a moment CJ considered all that she knew. “I’m with you, Detective.”
Jenkins glanced at her, his expression startled. He quickly set his attention back on the street and maneuvering through traffic.
Another space of silence elapsed before he spoke again. “He’s not really the way you think he is. I mean, if you consider his history and all that, like a profiler would. A lot of what’s going on doesn’t add up.”
CJ started to ask what he meant, but he rolled to a stop in front of Edward’s house.
