Valley, Pollard broke into a smile.
She felt as if she was in the game again.
She was back in the hunt.
22
PERRY WASN’T at his desk when Holman came downstairs that morning. Holman was relieved. He wanted to pick up the reports from Liz before she left for class and didn’t want to get bogged down in another argument with Perry.
But when Holman stepped outside to go to his car, Perry was hosing off the sidewalk.
Perry said, “You got a call yesterday I forgot to tell you about. Guess it slipped my mind, having to fight off your thugs.”
“What is it, Perry?”
“Tony Gilbert over at that sign company. Said he’s your boss and wants you to call.”
“Okay, thanks. When did he call?”
“During the day, I guess. Good thing it wasn’t while those gangbanging fucks were putting the arm on me else I would’ve missed the message.”
“Perry, look-I didn’t tell those guys to do that. All they were supposed to do was bring back the car and give you the keys. That’s it. I already apologized.”
“Gilbert sounded pissed off, you ask me. I’d call him. And since you have a job, you might consider fronting the cash for an answering machine. My memory isn’t what it used to be.”
Holman started to say something, then thought better of it and went around the side of the motel to his car. He didn’t want to start his day with Gilbert, either, but he hadn’t been to work in a week and didn’t want to lose the job. Holman climbed into his Highlander to make the call and was pleased he could bring up Gilbert’s number on his phone’s memory without having to refer to the owner’s manual. It felt like a step into real life.
As soon as Gilbert came on the line, Holman knew his patience was wearing thin.
He said, “Are you coming back to work or not? I need to know.”
“I’m coming back. I’ve just had a lot to deal with.”
“Max, I’m trying to be a good guy here, what with your son and all, but what in hell are you doing? The police were here.”
Holman was so surprised he didn’t respond.
“Max?”
“I’m here. What did the police want?”
“You just got out, man. Are you going to wash ten years down the drain?”
“I’m not washing anything down the drain. Why were the police there?”
“They wanted to know if you’d been coming to work and what kind of people you’ve been associating with, like that. They asked whether or not you’ve been using.”
“I haven’t been using. What are you talking about?”
“Well, they asked, and they asked if I knew how you were supporting yourself without working. What am I supposed to think? Hey, listen, my friend, I’m trying to run a business here and you disappeared. I told’m I gave you some time off for your son, but now I gotta wonder. It’s been a week.”
“Who was it asking about me?”
“Some detectives.”
“Did Gail send them?”
“They weren’t from the Bureau of Prisons. These were cops. Now listen, are you coming back to work or not?”
“I just need a few more days-”
“Ah, hell.”
Gilbert hung up.
Holman closed his phone, feeling a dull ache in his stomach. He had expected Gilbert to bitch him out for missing so much work, but he hadn’t expected the police. He decided the cops were following up his visit to Maria Juarez, but he also worried that someone had put him together with Chee. He didn’t want to bring any heat down on Chee, mostly because he wasn’t sure Chee was completely straight.
Holman considered calling Gail Manelli about the police, but he was worried about missing Liz, so he put away his phone and headed for Westwood. As he turned out of the parking lot, he saw Perry still on the sidewalk, watching him. Perry waited until Holman had driven past, then flipped him off. Holman saw it in the mirror.
When Holman drew closer to Westwood, he called Liz to let her know he was coming.
When she answered, he said, “Hey, Liz, it’s Max. I need to stop by to see you for a few minutes. Can I bring you a coffee?”
“I’m on my way out.”
“This is kind of important. It’s about Richie.”
She hesitated, and when she spoke again her voice was cold.
“Why are you doing this?”
“Doing what? I just need to-”
“I don’t want to see you anymore. Please stop bothering me.”
She hung up.
Holman was left sitting in traffic with his dead phone. He called back, but this time her message machine picked up.
“Liz? Maybe I should’ve called earlier, okay? I didn’t mean to be rude. Liz? Can you hear me?”
If she was listening she didn’t pick up, so Max ended the call. He was only five blocks from Veteran Avenue by then, so he continued on to Liz’s apartment. He didn’t take the time to find a parking spot, but left his car in a red zone by a fire hydrant. If he got a ticket he’d just pay Chee back with his own money.
The usual morning rush of students on their way to class meant Holman didn’t have long to wait before he could get inside the building. He took the stairs two at a time, but slowed when he reached her apartment, catching his breath before he knocked.
“Liz? Please tell me what’s wrong.”
He knocked softly again.
“Liz? This is important. Please, it’s for Richie.”
Holman waited.
“Liz? Can I come in, please?”
She finally opened the door. Her face was tight and pinched, and she was already dressed for the day. Her eyes were hard with a brittle tension.
Holman didn’t move. He stood with his hands at his sides, confused by her hostility.
He said, “Did I do something?”
“Whatever you’re doing, I want no part of it.”
Holman kept his voice calm.
“What do you think I’m doing? I’m not doing anything, Liz. I just want to know what happened to my son.”
“The police were here. They cleaned out Richard’s desk. They took all his things and they questioned me about
“Who did? Levy?”
“No, not Levy-Detective Random. He wanted to know what you were asking about and said I should be careful around you. They warned me not to let you in.”
Holman wasn’t sure how to respond. He took a step away from her and spoke carefully.
“I’ve been inside with you, Liz. Do you think I would hurt you? You’re my son’s wife.”
Her eyes softened and she shook her head.
She said, “Why did they come here?”
