The Sound of Broken Ribs(48)

After another moment’s silence, Jack continued: “Locating the car was key—the yellow Toyota Corolla Belinda Walsh used to hit you. I only found it by accident, and that’s where the black sodomite comes into play.” Now Jack was using the word ‘sodomite’ without pause. Lei figured the previous mentions of the man’s sexual preference had been Jack testing the water. By not showing disapproval of the term ‘sodomite’, Lei had given Jack her unspoken acceptance of the antiquated term. “The man was a known acquaintance of Anthony Marchesini, who was Belinda Walsh’s brother. Four months after you were struck and Marchesini was killed in a shootout with Sheriff Jenna Wales, a yellow Toyota Corolla was donated to a junker in Chestnut. I only came across it because God told me to check out the local junkyards.” Lei grinned at the God reference. She was an atheist and hearing religious people speak so flippantly about hearing some invisible deity’s voice never ceased to amuse her. Religion was the most socially acceptable form of madness.

Jack rambled on, “When I spoke with the proprietor of the junkyard—a one Doug Clarkson—he said he remembered both Walsh and the sodomite because the sodomite tried to sell the car to him without Walsh being there. Walsh had signed the title over to the sodomite, but had not sent in for a new title. The Junker thought this odd and said he wouldn’t buy the car without Walsh being present. The sodomite left and returned that evening with Walsh. Walsh signed the car over to him in exchange for fifty dollars.”

Lei cut in. “Fifty bucks for a working car? The engine alone must have been worth that in scrap alone.”

“It is likely,” Jack was speaking very slowly now, as if to a child, “that the man was concerned with the car having been stolen, or the truth, that it had been used in the commission of a crime.” Lei knew commission wasn’t the right word here, but she did not interrupt Jack’s train of thought to correct her. No need, really. Even with the wrong word, Lei caught the gist of Jack’s meanings. “The most likely reason for the sum paid for the car being so low is because the Junker knew he could give Walsh whatever he wanted. The Junker didn’t tell me this, but I prayed and such was revealed to me.”

This bitch is crazy. What made me hire a nut case like this?

You didn’t know she was crazy. She seemed of sound enough mind during your first meeting. Besides, she found her target, so quit complaining.

“When I journeyed to the sodomite’s last known residence, I found he had moved. He had called in a forwarding address with his old landlord, should he receive any mail between the time of his departure and the time his change of address went through at the post office.”

“Wait. His old landlord gave you all this information.”

“Yes. The woman I spoke with was a good Christian woman. She does not cotton to homosexuals.”

Lei sighed. The intolerance running like poison through the veins of society never failed to sadden her. “I’m pretty sure that’s illegal, Jack. I’m almost certain she could be sued for giving you that information.”

“Who would tell her?” Jack said.

Exasperated, Lei said, “Never mind. So, this guy, he left the address you gave me—the one for the Imperial Hotel, with his old landlord. Go on.”

“Walsh’s… gay companion”—Hey, it was better than sodomite, Lei thought, God forbid she calls the man by his name— “called his old landlord with the address to the Imperial Hotel after arriving in California. I’m assuming it was not his original choice of residence. This place is a garbage pile. I’m pretty sure they sell drugs and rape women here.”

They sell drugs and rape women everywhere, Jack, but go on, Lei thought but didn’t say.

“I would like to leave as soon as possible.”

“Could you stay until I get there?” Lei asked.

“Why?” Jack sounded suddenly angry. The word was hissed more than it was said.

“Because you want to get paid the final ten grand I promised you—correct?”

“I don’t believe you wouldn’t pay me. I know too much about you and… and I assume I know what you mean to do to this woman. This Belinda Walsh.”

“Are you afraid I’ll do the same to you, should you stay?”

“No.”

“Then why not stay?”

“Because it is a cesspool and I feel dirty staying here.”

“I want you to stay. I might need your help once I arrive.”

“I will not be a part of—”

“You won’t be a part of anything. I simply need you to maintain that room as I requested. I will be needing it.”

“The money I paid gives me this room for a week. I do not have to stay here to keep it open to you.”

“Fine, Jack. The truth is, I don’t trust you. I don’t trust anyone. I want to make sure Walsh is actually where you say she is and that all this info you’re feeding me isn’t some kind of elaborate fabrication. You leave, you don’t get paid. You stay, I’ll throw in another five thousand. Good?”

“I do not appreciate being called a liar.”

“I didn’t call you a liar. I said you might be capable of lying because of my own trust issues. There’s a difference.”

“I see no diff—”