The Tipsy Gull, page 16
part #1 of Danny Barbosa Series
“Yep, not me,” Tala said. “And that was the end of it.”
Jojo raised an eyebrow. “Not quite how I remember it. I wonder what Mama would have done if she'd known you kept training?”
Tala stifled her laugh. “I didn’t think anyone knew.”
Jessa caught the tail end of the conversation and stared wide-eyed. “What? Mom you know how to box? Does Dad know?”
Jojo smiled. “Your mom never told you? She’s a natural.”
Tala waved her brother off. “I wasn’t that good.” She turned to Jessa. “Yes, your father knows.”
Tala told them a story about some thugs who had picked a fight with her while she was on a date with Danny. Tala had used her boxing skills to overpower the two larger female gang members while Danny subdued the men. Tala ended the story by reiterating she was against fighting.
“Yeah, but you’re damn good at it,” Jojo said.
“I knew Dad was a bad ass, but I didn’t know you were, too,” Jessa said.
“That’s so cool, Tita. You’re a lady Pacquiao,” Nikki added.
They’d been airborne a few hours, and after dinner, the cabin lights dimmed. Jojo, Jessa, and Nicky were all sleeping. Tala watched a movie but didn’t pay much attention to it. Her mind was on Danny’s drinking. Jojo had one glass of wine with dinner and had politely declined a refill. She sighed. If only Danny could stop after one, things would be fine.
A woman walked by Tala’s aisle seat, and as her perfume reached Tala’s scent, it rekindled the emotions she’d felt when she found Jenny’s note. The realization was an eye opener for she’d been blocking it from her thoughts. She squeezed her eyes shut, forcing back the tears. Could she trust him? If he had cheated on her, then no, things weren’t fine whether he quit drinking or not. He had claimed nothing happened. He had never cheated on her before, so maybe she needed to believe him. She was still very much in love with him. Overwhelmed with confusion, thoughts fluttered in and out of her mind. Eventually exhaustion caught up with her and she fell asleep.
The overhead lights were turned on and the announcement was made that breakfast would be served soon. They were about three hours from South Korea, where they would catch a connecting flight to the Philippines.
Tala yawned and stretched. Danny had given her a card and said to bring it back. With a fresh resolve, she dug through her carryon for it. She opened the envelope and pulled out a card. This looks familiar. When she opened it, her hand went to her mouth and she let out a small gasp for she’d given this to Danny before they’d begun dating. Along with the letter she’d written him about the meaning of his name, he’d inserted a folded piece of paper. She read his message:
Tala,
When you first met me, I was in love with myself. All I knew was fighting, football, flirting, and drinking. Sadly, I haven’t changed much. I still drink, fight, and flirt. But instead of being in love with myself, I’m in love with you. I realized that the day you gave me this card. I keep it in my desk at work and read it from time to time when I need inspiration. I can’t lose you. Who else would help me with my tie? Give your family my regards.
Your friend,
Danny (your husband)
Tala cried and laughed at the same time. It wasn’t so much the fact that he wrote this to her, but the fact that he had saved this card she gave him when they first started dating. That gesture was worth a thousand words. Yes, he was worth fighting for. He wasn’t perfect, but she loved him. She put the letter back in her bag and knew in her heart everything would be okay between them.
CHAPTER 20
Sunday morning, Danny lounged in his recliner, wearing shorts and a Melvin Gordon jersey, while watching the Charger’s season opener against the Chiefs. He slammed his beer can down after Ware scored on a 5-yard TD run to tie the game. “Tackle his ass! Come on you guys, even I could have made that play.”
Zoe whelped and scampered out of the room and under the kitchen table.
After San Diego lost in overtime, he cursed the team, threw on a Charger’s cap, and walked down the pathway. He opened the mail slot, and sorted the mail that had been collecting, shaking his head at the number of advertisements. Dumping those into a black plastic trash can next to the mailboxes, he was left with four letters including a five-by-eight golden colored, manila envelope addressed to Detective Barbosa. No return address. It was almost a quarter-inch thick. Goosebumps ran down his spine. Detective Barbosa?
At the kitchen table he set the letters down. He tore the larger one open and peeked inside. Photographs. As he slid them onto the table, his eyes went wide. They were pictures of Tala, Jessa, and him at the zoo. Amongst them, he picked up a zoo post card and turned it over. He recognized the perfectly square letters of the Chameleon’s hand writing. His cheeks flushed and his heart raced. His flesh crawled and he gasped for air.
Detective Hakai arrived and bagged up the evidence. Lieutenant Hawthorne and Captain Sassano stood by. The message on the postcard read: Detective Barbosa, you have a beautiful family. You should spend more time with them. Life is too short
“How long will they be gone?” Hawthorne asked. His hand rested on Danny’s shoulder.
“About three weeks.” Danny stared blankly at the wall.
“We’re considering this a direct threat to their safety. We can offer police protection upon their return,” Captain Sassano said, pulling back her gray hair.
Danny’s jaw clenched and he shook his head. “Thanks anyway, but if she comes anywhere near them. I’ll kill her!”
“Come on now, I know you’re pissed, but let’s not say that,” Sassano said.
Hawthorne patted Danny’s shoulder. “Don’t make it personal, okay Danny.”
“You’re right.” Danny blew out his breath. “I’m just venting. Yeah, maybe the police protection is a good idea. I’ll let you know when they return home.”
“I’ll drop this off at the lab to see if they can find any prints,” Tiny said.
“You won’t get anything from it. She’s too smart for that,” Danny said.
“Probably not, but we have to try,” Hawthorne said, then to Hakai. “Actually techs are still processing Motel 6. Just drop it off there, that’s closer than the lab. They can take it back with them at the end of the day.”
Hakai nodded and squeezed Danny’s arm on the way out. “Hang in there, buddy.”
“Thanks, Tiny.”
“I’m glad your family is out of town. They’ll be safe that way,” Sassano said. “Any ideas on how the Slayer found out where you live?”
Danny thought about the messages from Cameron—the fishing for information while pretending to be interested in Jessa. The fact he never talked to her. Like before, his cop instinct raised a red flag. But he would handle this himself. If it was the Chameleon, he’d find a way to trap her. He lied. “I don’t know, Captain.”
Hawthorne nodded and Danny walked them to the door. Once the brass left, he fed his anger. Breathing in and out, he slammed his fist through the wall and let out a roar. “I’m gonna kill that bitch!”
Zoe whined from under the table.
He was too upset to finish the game and set his DVR. He’d watch it later on his days off. Grabbing a beer, he sat at the table, and scrolled through the messages Cameron had sent Jessa. Was he the Chameleon? He wished he’d thought of snapping photos of the pictures that were sent. Maybe he’d find a clue, but now he’d have to wait to get copies from Kelly.
He sat on the sofa and stared unseeing at the TV. His mind obsessed on the Chameleon. Time passed and he’d consumed half a dozen beers. The empty cans stacked into a small pyramid. A bottle of Jack Daniels sat on the kitchen counter. It was still half full. He’d done well abstaining on the hard stuff. Perhaps one shot would be okay.
Several hours later, the fifth sat on the coffee table, and ten empty beer cans were now in the design of bowling pins. Danny tried to recall what time Tala would land in the Philippines. He shook his head, unable to focus. For the sake of his sanity, he had pushed the thoughts of the killer out of his head. He’d worry about it when he returned to work.
“I’m on a four-day weekend, Zoe. Why don’t we go somewhere? Maybe a trip to Mexico? I’ll dress you like a Chihuahua.”
Zoe thumped her tail on the floor.
Danny laughed out loud and thought about Jenny. Why was he so infatuated over her? Despite the number of women he’d slept with while playing football at USC, he’d been faithful once he married Tala. Was this a mid-life crisis or was there more to it? Whatever the reason, she was on his mind now and Tala was far away. He downed his beer and sent her a text.
Danny: Hi its Danny. How are u?
Jenny: Lonely. Can you come to the bar?
Danny: Too drumk to drive. I’ll come by tomorroww.
Jenny: See you then. xoxoxo.
He tried to finish watching the Charger game, but lost interest. His head spun and his eyes weren’t focusing. He passed out on the recliner. A phone rang, startling him out of his stupor. He looked around with eyes furrowed, then spotted his work phone on the coffee table when it rang again. He jumped up and grabbed it. “Hello?”
“Hey, it’s Kelly. I just wanted to let you know I printed duplicates of the photographs the Chameleon sent you. I can bring them by your office tomorrow.”
Danny rubbed his eyes and reached for his whiskey. His eyes narrowed. The bottle was empty. Who drank my fucking Jack?
“No can do, Kelly. I’m on vacation.” He picked up a half empty can and downed the warm beer. `
“Vacation? “
“Yep, it’s bullshit though. I got two days off without pay because of my stupid DUI.” He burped. “So, I’m calling it a vacation.”
“Are you drinking?”
“Yep. Tala’s not here, you know.”
“I know. I’m sorry about that.”
“Hey, why don’t you come over?” Danny asked, glancing at the clock. It was only five and the day was going so slow. He picked up another can and shook it. Empty.
“Don’t tease me like that.”
“I mean to bring the pictures. I won’t be back to work for three days and I need to see them.” He staggered to the kitchen and opened the fridge—no beer. Fuck!
“Give me the address and your personal cell, in case I get lost.”
After giving her these he hung up and sniffed the air. A pungent smell enveloped him. Sniffing, he looked around the room puzzled. He lifted his arm and took another whiff. “Oh boy, Kelly wouldn’t like that, would she, girl.”
Zoe’s dog tag rattled as she wagged her tail.
Danny smiled as he headed to the bathroom to clean up. In the shower, he thought about the times Kelly had flirted with him at work. Maybe inviting her over wasn’t a good idea. Well, it was too late now. Dressed in shorts and a t-shirt, he started to clean the living room, but the movement nauseated him. He was sweating already and kicked on the air conditioner, then squirted himself with a citrus musk body spray. At least he’d smell presentable even if the place was filthy. He rubbed his temples and sat on the sofa to rest.
When Kelly arrived, he apologized for the mess and asked her to put the pictures on the table. As she did, Zoe growled from underneath. He snapped his fingers and the dog quieted. Kelly wore a purple blouse with a deep neck line, white shorts, and tan sandals. Nice legs. He took a deep breath. Mmm, Amber Mystique.
“You smell good,” he swayed in front of her.
“And you smell like a brewery,” she teased. “A brewery for citrus, musk beer.
He laughed a little too loud. “That’s my spray. Anyway, I’m off work for two more days.”
“Yeah, you said that.” She smiled.
“I’ll check the pics out later when I’m more alert. I appreciate you bringing them over.” He held his hand out.
Kelly laughed. “A hand shake? Don’t I at least deserve a hug?”
“Yeah, I guess you do.” He hugged her and she held him tight, the swell of her breast pressing against his chest. When he released her, they stood there for a moment at a loss for words.
“I guess I’ll get going then.” She broke the silence.
“Thanks, Jenny.”
Kelly stiffened. “Jenny?”
“Sorry. Kelly.”
She snorted and let the door slam close behind her.
Why the hell had he called her Jenny. He sent Kelly a text, but she didn’t reply, so he tossed the phone down on the sofa and went to grab another beer from the fridge. None left. Forgetting his phone, he headed out the door and walked to a nearby liquor store down the street.
Back at the house, he put the eighteen pack of Bud Light in the fridge. He set the fifth of Jack Daniels on the counter top and decided to order pizza delivery. He patted his pockets and unable to find his cell phone, used the landline to call in the food order.
Danny popped open a can and sat back down on his recliner to watch TV. Zoe gobbled up the slice he tossed her. Before long he fell into a deep sleep.
It was midnight when he came to. The TV was on, illuminating the room in its flickering glow. He rubbed the sleep from his eyes and stood. Turning on the light, he looked around at the scattered cans and shook his head. With a sigh, he rubbed the back of his head, and then grabbed a cold slice of pizza. His department issued cell phone lay on the coffee table. He recalled Kelly bringing over the zoo pictures, but not much else. A lot of good his meetings were doing. Where was his cell phone? He searched the living room and found it on the sofa where it had slipped between the cushions.
He scrolled through the phone log. There were five missed calls from the +63 Country code. Shit, Tala landed in the Philippines yesterday. It was after one in the morning now and she had told him she’d call when she arrived. That was over seven hours ago. There were also texts from Kelly, Jenny, and Paul. He ignored those for now and played the phone messages from Tala:
“Hi, mahal, it’s me. We’re here in Davao city waiting for Boboy. I’ll call you again when I get to Mama’s house.”
The next message was a hang up.
Third message: “Did you get my message, Danny? Is everything okay? It’s about nine at night, your time. I’ll call later.”
Fourth message: “Hey, Dad. Mom’s freaking out because she can’t get hold of you. I hope everything’s okay. Call us when you get the message, we want to make sure you’re okay.”
Danny shook his head, disappointed in himself. He rubbed his face and went to the next message: “It’s almost midnight, your time. I don’t know where you are. I don’t want to know.” Tala was crying softly. “I told you I would call when we landed. Are you with her? I hate you.”
He sat there dazed. Why had he got so drunk? Did Tala know Kelly had come over? No, she had to have been talking about Jenny. It was too late to call back now; he’d have to call her in the morning. He grabbed another slice of pizza and read over the text messages he’d missed. Kelly had apologized for leaving so abruptly and wanted to come by again so they could order a pizza. He took another bite and shook his head. Sure there was a physical attraction between them but he didn’t need to complicate things by having an affair with a co-worker. He enjoyed flirting with her, but that was all.
Jenny sent several messages. She asked him what time he would come over the next day. Not remembering what that was about, he scrolled through their conversation and found the message from him telling her he’d come by. He deleted the thread before heading to the bedroom to fall back asleep.
The next morning, he popped four ibuprofen and started the coffee pot. He stood under the spray of the hot water until the water cooled down. As he exited the bathroom, the fresh aroma of the hot brew permeated the apartment. He started to call Tala then paused. A call to Jessa first would gauge how mad Tala was. That call went straight to voicemail and he left a message. “Hi, it’s me. Sorry, I missed your calls. I was uh, I was at an AA meeting with Paul and had to silence my phone. I forgot all about it after that.” He rolled his eyes. That was lame. “Anyway, I’m okay. I’ll call your mom back, too.”
Danny hung up. He’d have to lie better than that or Tala would see right through it. When he called her next, she answered, sounding half asleep. “Hello. Danny?”
“Yeah, it’s me. Hey, sorry I missed your calls. I just woke up, thought I’d better call you back.”
There was a long silence before she spoke. “It’s one in the morning.”
“Aww Jeez, I forgot the time difference. I’m sorry, love.”
“Where were you yesterday?”
He couldn’t tell her Kelly came over and he wasn’t ready to fill her in on the Chameleon’s threat. Half-truth and half lie would be the best route to go. “I worked overtime Saturday. There was another murder. Anyway, on Sunday I decided to have a few beers while I watched football all day. It was the season opener. Then I started with the Jack and ended up passed out. I came to after midnight and played back your messages but didn’t want to call you so late. I forgot about the time difference.”
“Please go to your meetings. It’s not just for us. Remember, Chris said the judge would require it.”
Tala was right. He ended up drunk on the first day she was gone. “I will. Paul called me earlier, we’re gonna go to a meeting today. You go back to sleep, love. Tomorrow, can you let Jessa know I called too?”
“I will. How’s my Zoe doing?”
“She’s fine. I ordered pizza and gave her some yesterday.”
Tala laughed. “I know she loves that, but don’t spoil her too much. Oh, before I forget, thanks for your letter, mahal. That was beautiful. We’ll talk later, okay? Right now, I have to go back to sleep.”
“Yeah, I know. Sorry again. Goodnight.” Danny hung up the phone and looked around. Beer cans scattered everywhere.
CHAPTER 21
Danny woke up Monday morning, showered, and downloaded an AA schedule to his cell phone. He did some grocery shopping and headed home. At a red light, he glanced at the license plate in front of him. It was a vanity plate—NAOMI MD. The car was a newer model, red Nissan GTR. Danny recalled Mike Peterson’s last words, ‘The killer is a Doctor’. Ben and he had talked about it and concluded something in the license plate must have given him that impression. Goosebumps rose up the back of Danny’s neck.
