It has been quite an eventful few weeks.
Since the premiere, the tabloids have been raving about my performance. While at first it was flattering, it has now become very annoying. I needed the press to get off my back whenever I needed to leave the theatre. Many people tried to question me about the most wild things.
'Why were you the lead in the play?'
' Will you perform again?'
'Are you and Charles together?'
That last one became more wild whenever someone got a hold of the story. Lord knows where that story started. Thankfully, my brother and the triplets put an end to that rumor.
Those reporters just want people to buy their papers and will use any title to get their readers' attention. It was vital how they had no care for others' reputations.
I was sitting in my office reading the latest reviews about the musical. Things have been going smoothly on that end, and it has gained us much-needed revenue. I was able to replace the carpet in my father's office.
I put away the paper just as I heard a knock on the door.
"Come in!" I call out as my brother comes inside with a Cheshire grin
"Gian, you look chipper," I say
"Well I have a good reason, we have another lead," He tells me as I sit straight up in my chair
"Where, who? Give me the details," I spit out as he quickly closed the door sat across from me, and handed me a file.
"The Triplet's men got word about the man who sold the gun to our killer. He had been getting more business lately and some of his associates had gotten suspicious and had ratted him out to one of the triplets' boys." Gian explained
"So, he might know who killed father?" I bluntly say as Gian nods
"He must, if not, we can make him talk." Gian says
"Well, what are we waiting for? Let's go meet the gunsmith. Grab Dad's old gun. We need some type of reason to go see him," I say as he leaves, looking over the file of the man we are to meet.
Louis Wesson. Age; 45. He has been a gunsmith for the last 20 years, and more recently has started to attract the attention of the various crime syndicates in New York. He resides in a dank alley in Queens.
A picture was also clipped to the file. The photo was in black and white, but I could see his nose was crooked, and his teeth had a small gap in them.
I glared at the photo. This man could be the closest we have gotten to identifying my father's killer.
Gian and I loaded up in the car and made our way to Queens. Just as we got to the street, I could see part of it was blocked off. Police cars, reporters, and yellow tape littered the street.
I told the driver to park on the next block. I started to get out when Gian held my arm.
"What are we going to do? That's the alley we need to get to," Gian questioned
"I got a plan, leave the gun," I say as Gian reluctantly gets out of the vehicle. I guided Gian through the alley to the other side to see we had a clear view of what was happening in the alley. We peeked out behind a dumpster to see the paramedics bring out a body bag.
"Do you think it's Louis?" Gian asks as I see that stupid detective talking to the police.
"I think so, why else would that idiotic detective be at the scene? He has been on our case for the last month and has had barely any leads. Well, at least last I checked. He must have gotten a big one if he's here." I say as Gian nods
"If he spots you, you will be arrested." Gian points out.
He wasn't wrong Detective Carter has been a pain in the ass. I read reports about him trying to get into the theatre the night of the show. He must be desperate to not go through the proper channels to get some dirt on me or my family.
"You're right. The scene will be cleared by tonight. Get the men to gather some evidence of our own. Tell 'em to meet us at the Triplet's Speakeasy." I instructed as we ducked away from the crime scene.
When the night fell, I was waiting at a corner table for the information, and for Gian to get our drinks. I look over and watch my brother flirt with a woman at the bar. I smiled a bit.
Gian had been so stressed lately trying to help me find our father's killer and dealing with the nosy press. He needed the break. I spotted Teddy giving him his old fashion and then spoke to him a bit before making his way over to me.
"Your drink madam," Teddy said in a posh voice.
I giggled at the voice.
"Thank you, Teddy, how's my brother flirting goin'? I ask as Teddy laughed
"I hate to break it to you, but your brother is a ladies' man," Teddy says as we watch him take her hand and go to the dance floor.
The music was upbeat and had the whole place in a tizzy. People were jiving, and overall enjoying themselves.
"I am not surprised, this place is swinging. You boys did good," I confess as I take a quick sip of my drink Teddy smiled
"Thank you, but all the praise should go to Tony," Teddy says, motioning to his brother who is talking to a few men in the corner.
"Tony is the one who started this joint, Terry and I just tagged along and helped where we could," He said
Just then I saw Enzo walk in. He spotted me and I motioned him to come over.
"That's my cue, good luck Spitfire." Teddy winks as he bolts back to the bar just as Enzo makes it to my table.
"Enzo," I greeted, nodding my head. He took off his hat and nodded back. I gestured for him to join me.
"Relax. You look more nervous than Gian was for his Bar Exam," I said as Enzo gave me a nervous smile.
"Sorry, was worried about the cops followin' us. I ensured I was not followed but you know how those guys can be," Enzo says
"Good, we don't need them involved any further. Did you get what I asked for?" I questioned watching him pull out a small folder from his coat.
"We got more waiting in your office, that Detective is a real pain in the ass," Enzo states as I let out a short chuckle.
"No shit. He has been quite the annoyance, but nothing we cannot handle." I paused before opening the folder and looked up at Enzo. He was distracted watching the people dance, and boozing around.
"Enzo, go have a drink on me. You earned it." I say as he looks back at me shocked
"Really?" He sputters. The surprise was evident on his face.
"Yeah, I know we got off on the wrong foot. But you are doing me a huge favor in getting this information to me. Consider it my thanks for a job well done." I say as he breaks out in a smile.
"Thanks, Boss." He says as he jumps up and heads to Teddy waiting at the bar.
With him gone, I opened the folder to see some photos and documents. The photos revealed some images from the scene—nothing too gruesome if someone peeked over my shoulder. Those must be in my office. I ignored the photos and looked over a copy of the police report and my men's reports.
'Police Report? How'd they get this?' I thought but ignored my thoughts and read the files.
According to the police, it was a suspected murder. But with a struggle, the window in the back of the man's shop was broken into, he was reported to be shot in the leg and later the head.
They found no evidence of the murder weapon, not even a bullet could be found. The body was taken to a morgue on 7th Street.
I flipped and read over what my men found after the police were gone.
There were some similarities, but what made me question things was that my team had noticed a sizable bloody footprint behind the counter.
This was troubling, nothing about this on the police report, maybe there was another one at my desk with the more…gruesome details.
I sighed, closed the folder, and quietly sipped my drink, watching the people dance and the band play on.
It was enjoyable. It has felt like I've been running since my father passed. Not taking a moment for myself, just pushing through.
I know once I find the person responsible that I can finally put Father's soul to rest. Its the least I could do.
I quickly downed the rest of the glass and went to drop it off at the bar. I noticed Teddy was no longer there. Instead, there stood a blonde woman with a feather in her hair, sporting a short bedazzled dress and a smile.
"Hey ya sugar, you want another drink?" she asked me in a southern voice.
"No thanks. I need to get back home. Where's Teddy?" I asked as she took my glass and put it behind the bar.
"He switched shifts with me tonight. I need some extra cash for my trip back home in a few weeks. He is in the office if you need him. I can go grab him," she suggested as I shook my head.
"Don't worry I just wanted to say goodbye, I'll catch him next time. What's you're name?" I asked before rushing off
"My name is Charlotte, but call me Lottie," she said with a smile
"Well, Lottie. I'll see you next time. Have a good night," I said as she waved goodbye as I began to walk out the door.
Outside I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.
"Long night?" a voice says behind me
I turned to see Teddy leaning against the wall smoking a cigarette.
"You know if your mother sees you she gonna hit ya upside the head," I jested as he chuckled
"I know, but it helped destress me from time to time. Plus I think it makes me look cool," He smirks as I laugh but then I realize something.
"Wait! Lottie said you were in the office," I accused as he looked at me and smirked
"There is more than one door out of this place," he confessed inhaling his cigarette and exhaling the smoke.
I mentally smacked my forehead, of course, there was, it was an illegal bar afterall.
"You headin' home?" he questioned putting out the cigarette on the wall.
"I got now where else to go, you too?" I responded as he nodded
"Yeah, but its gonna take me a while before I can," he says looking up at the street lamp with a bunch of moths, and little bugs flying around it. Now I was more confused.
His house was not even 10 minutes away.
"And why is that?" I question as he looks back at me
"I got a lady I need to take home first," he answers as he holds out his arm to me.
I blush, quickly catching onto his words. I grab his arm and we start making our way down the street.
"I gotta admit, that was pretty smooth, even for you," I say as he looks at me and his smile softens.
"Hey, I'm just being the gentlemen my parents raised me to be. Plus couldn't let my favorite girl walk alone, in the dark, with dangers lurking in the alleys. Its against my morals." he explained as I could feel my heart beating out of my chest.
"You have morals? Wow! Didn't know I was learning new things today," I flirt as he laughs and pats my hand on his arm
"Hey don't go tellin everyone my secret," he jokes as I giggle a bit.
It fell silent between us as some cars passed us, leaving only our footsteps echoing in the passing alleys.
"This is nice," I said as Teddy looked at me.
"What is?" he asks
"This," I gesture between us. "Chatting, laughing. I haven't felt content since my father passed. It feels nice." I admit as my cheeks burn up, seeing Teddy just staring at me.
"What? Is something on my face?" I ask as he shakes his head.
"It's just…" He paused. "I miss us. Talking, joking around like when were growin' up." We stopped and he turned toward me, grabbing both my hands. We locked eyes as he continued.
"It saddens me that the most powerful woman I know doesn't smile every day. It pains me to know the spitfire I grew up with is in danger of being snuffed out by men who would do you harm." My heart was pounding at his words.
The Teddy I knew and grew up with was a loveable goofball who made everyone laugh and have a good time despite anything. Hearing him speak so poetically was a shock, but it felt like he was letting loose a part of his soul.
"Irene, I promise you that as long as we both live, I will do everything in my power to know you are safe, happy, and still the spitfire I have grown to know." Teddy finishes.
I couldn't help but whisper back.
"Thank you, Teddy," I whispered as I swore I felt him come closer. But we were interrupted by blaring sirens racing past us. For a moment, I thought it was the police. Teddy pushed me behind him as we both realized it was the fire department.
I looked to where they were headed and prayed they didn't turn on my street.
To my horror, they did.