Lady Justice and the Magic Dragon, page 5
part #29 of Lady Justice Series
“That’s Samantha. We call her Sam. She’s six.”
Marsha knelt down. “Hi Sam. I’ll bet you’re cold and maybe a little bit scared. You and your mommy are going to be all right. We were just having a Christmas party. Do you like parties?”
Sam peeked from behind her mother’s skirt and nodded her head.
“Do you like hot chocolate?”
Sam nodded again.
“How about marshmallows? Do you like those in your hot chocolate?”
One more nod.
“Good! Then let’s get you a cup.” She turned to Billy. “Billy, lock the front door, then get a cup of hot chocolate for our special guest, and a cup of coffee for her mother. We’ll be in my office.”
As she led Cindy and Sam away, she motioned for Judy, Ox, and me to follow. “The rest of you --- please enjoy the rest of your party. John, please continue your beautiful reading.”
We followed Marsha to her office. When we were all comfortably seated, she got right down to business.
“Cindy, I know you’ve experienced something very unpleasant. Would you like to share it with us? This is Ox and Judy. They’re police officers, and this is Walt. He’s a private investigator. Whatever it is, I’m sure we can help.”
As Cindy began to speak, I noticed she had a bruise on her cheek. I could tell it wasn’t fresh. It had started to fade.
“It’s Daryl.”
“Is Daryl your husband?”
“Yes. He was great at first. He was kind, attentive, and with me every minute, but as time passed, things changed.”
Marsha had heard stories like this before. “I’m guessing not in a good way.”
Cindy nodded. “He became possessive, controlling, and jealous. If the sack boy at the grocery store even gave me a second look, he would fly into a rage. I had to account for every minute of my day. Then one night I had to stay an hour longer at work. When I got home, he accused me of having an affair with my boss.” She hung her head. “That was the first time he hit me.”
Marsha pointed to the bruise. “Apparently it wasn’t the last.”
At that moment, Billy appeared with the coffee and hot chocolate.
Marsha took the cup and handed it to Sam. “This is Billy. He lives here and is a good friend of mine. Instead of sitting here listening to a bunch of old people talk, Billy could take you out by the tree and you could join our party. They’re telling wonderful Christmas stories. Would you like that?”
Sam thought for a moment, then nodded her head. “Could I Mommy?”
“Sure Dear. Just promise to stay with Billy. Have a good time.”
When they were gone, Marsha turned back to Cindy. “Did you ever call the police?”
Cindy looked sheepishly at Ox and Judy. “No offense, but doing that would have only made things worse. I have a friend who did just that. The cops came and took the jerk away, but he was out and back home the next day. He beat her senseless. I was afraid if I did something like that, Daryl might hurt Sam.”
“No offense taken,” Ox replied. “It’s an imperfect system. We try, but sometimes things don’t go the way we want.”
“So why are you here tonight?” Marsha asked.
“The last time he hit me,” she replied, pointing to her bruise, “I promised Sam that I’d never let him hurt us again. I packed this little suitcase with the essentials just in case. Tonight, when Daryl came home, I could tell he’d been drinking. He stormed around the apartment cursing and breaking things. I knew it was just a matter of time until he got around to us. When he went into the bathroom to throw up, I grabbed Samantha and the suitcase, and here we are. I’ll never go back to him --- I just can’t.”
“You did the right thing. You and Sam can stay here until everything is sorted out. I have an open room. I know you must be exhausted. Let’s get you settled in.”
“Thank you,” Cindy replied, wiping away a tear. “It’s not much of a Christmas for Sam, but at least we’re safe.”
We had just reached the tree when we heard a CRASH!
“Cindy! You ungrateful bitch! I know you’re here! Get your ass down here. You’re going home!”
Cindy shrunk in horror. “It’s Daryl. He’s found us.”
“Don’t worry,” Ox said. “I’ll take care of this.”
Judy put a hand on his arm. “No, I’ll do it.”
Ox smiled. “Sure Babe. Go get him.” He knew what was coming. Before becoming a Kansas City police officer, Judy had been an MP in the Marine Corps and had man-handled a lot worse than Daryl. Plus, one of her hot buttons was wife beaters.
Judy stepped in front of Daryl. “Don’t take another step, buster.”
“Get out of my way, bitch. I’m taking my wife and daughter home where they belong.”
“Nope! Nobody’s going anywhere but you.” She pointed to the broken door. “You’re going to jail. That’s destruction of private property, breaking and entering, and disturbing the peace.”
“Oh yeah! Out of my way or I’ll kick your ass!”
“I bet you’d like that, wouldn’t you? Big tough guy. You like hitting women, don’t you?”
Daryl was red with rage. He cocked his fist. “I’ll show you what I like.”
Judy ducked his punch, grabbed his arm, twisted, and threw him on the ground, face first. She came down on his back with her knee and grabbed his hair.
“How do you like that, dirt bag? Not bad for a girl. By the way, now we can add assaulting a police officer to your charges.”
Just then, a black and white pulled up. Ox had called it in.
Moments later, Daryl was hauled away in cuffs.
When he was gone, Cindy collapsed in a chair, obviously shaken.
My attention was drawn to Samantha. She was undoubtedly horrified by the confrontation. She was clinging to Billy and he was holding her close.
What happened next brought tears to my eyes, and was a moment I will never forget.
Billy smiled at the frightened little girl. “When I was just about your age, a bad man tried to hurt my mother and me.”
Samantha rubbed her eyes. “Really? What happened?”
“Well, I was scared, just like you are right now, but my mother gave me something that helped me feel safe.”
“What did she give you?”
“A dragon!”
Samantha’s eyes grew wide. “A dragon! A real dragon?”
“He was real to me. Have you ever heard of Puff the Magic Dragon?”
She shook her head.
“Well, there’s a song about him. Here, I’ll play it for you.”
He pulled out his cell phone, punched a few buttons, and a moment later, Samantha heard Peter, Paul, and Mary for the first time.
Samantha smiled as she listened. “I wish I had a dragon like Puff to help me feel safe.”
Billy unhooked his necklace and handed it to Samantha. “Well, now you do. Samantha, meet Puff the Magic Dragon.”
Her eyes lit up. “For me!”
“Yes, Puff has been my friend for a long, long time, and now he’s yours. Whenever you feel sad, or afraid, just remember you’re not alone. Puff is with you.”
I thought about one of the verses of the song:
A dragon lives forever, but not so little boys
Painted wings and giant rings make way for other toys
One gray night it happened, Jackie Paper came no more
And Puff the Magic Dragon ceased his fearless roar
For twenty years, Billy needed Puff to survive, but the night he saved my life he became a man, and like little Jackie Paper, he was ready to move on with his life.
The next verse of the song always brings tears to my eyes. Without Jackie, Puff had no purpose.
His head was bent in sorrow, green scales fell like rain
Puff no longer went to play along the cherry lane
Without his life-long friend, Puff could not be brave
So Puff that mighty dragon sadly slipped into his cave
There would be none of that tonight.
Billy’s gift meant that Puff’s legacy would not be lost, but would live on with his new friend, Samantha, and there would be many days when the two of them would frolic together on the cherry lane. There would be nights when Samantha would feel alone and scared, then she would reach for her friend and know she was not alone.
Everyone hopes for a Christmas miracle.
Tonight, I had seen one.
CHAPTER 10
After Daryl was gone and the cops were finished with their paperwork, Cindy was remorseful.
“I’m so sorry. We’ve ruined everyone’s Christmas.”
“Nonsense,” Marsha replied. “That’s why we’re here. Most of the women here have gone through the very same thing. We understand.”
Cindy turned to Ox. “How long will Daryl be in jail?”
“That’s a good question,” Ox replied. “It depends on several different things. Does he have a good attorney?”
Cindy nodded. “The company where he works has an attorney on retainer. The attorney and Daryl are drinking buddies.”
“Then he’ll probably be able to post bond. Does he have the money?”
“If I know Daryl, he’ll get it one way or another.”
“He’ll probably be out in a few days. I know it won’t be tomorrow. It’s Christmas Day. He’s stuck there until at least the day after.”
“Good!” she replied. “That will give me tomorrow to go back to the house. I only brought what I could pack in this one little suitcase. We need to get clothes, toiletries, and other essentials. Plus, I want to get Sam’s Christmas presents.”
“What time?” Ox asked. “Judy and I will go with you.”
“Oh no! I couldn’t ask you to do that. It’s Christmas Day!”
“Hey, we’ve got no plans. Tonight was our big Christmas bash. We’d love to help.”
“Me too,” I said. “I’ll pick up Cindy and Sam at nine and meet the two of you at her house.”
“I can’t thank you enough,” Cindy said, wiping away a tear.
“No thanks needed. We’re just glad you and Sam are safe.”
When we arrived at Cindy’s house, Ox and Judy were parked out front. Another car was parked in the driveway.
“Is that Daryl’s car?” I asked. I was pretty sure it wasn’t. His was towed to the impound lot the night before.
“I’ve never seen it before.”
“Give me your house key. We’ll check it out before you go in.”
Judy went around back while Ox and I cautiously approached the front door.
I slipped the key in the lock and swung the door open. A big burly dude was standing in the living room brandishing a baseball bat.
“Who the hell are you guys and what are you doing here?” he asked as he advanced menacingly.
“Calm down, buddy,” Ox replied, showing his badge. “I’m a Kansas City police officer. Put the bat down and we’ll talk.”
“I don’t get it. Why would a cop be coming to Daryl’s house on Christmas Day?”
“They’re with me, Earl.” Cindy had stepped into the house. “The question is, what are you doing here?”
“Do you know this guy, Cindy?” Ox asked.
“Yes, that’s Earl Tompkins, one of Daryl’s poker buddies.”
“You heard the lady, Earl” Ox snarled. “What are you doing in Cindy’s house?”
“It’s Daryl’s house, too,” he replied, defiantly. “He called last night from jail, told me where I could find a key, and asked me to stay here. He said Cindy would probably come by and clean the place out. Looks like he was right.”
“Don’t be an ass, Earl,” Cindy spat back. “I have no intention of cleaning the place out. Sam and I need our clothes and personal items, that’s all.”
“So what’s with all the beef?” he asked, pointing to Ox and me.
“We’re here to make sure some ass hole like you doesn’t interfere with Cindy while she gathers her things,” Ox replied. “Looks like it’s a good thing we’re here.”
Just then, Judy entered. She had been listening at the door.
“Who’s this broad?” Earl asked.
“I’m the little lady who kicked Daryl’s ass last night,” she replied, stepping a foot in front of him. “Would you like to try your luck?”
He thought for a moment. “Just get outta my face.”
“Fine! Hand me that bat and I will.”
Reluctantly, he handed her the bat.
“Smart move,” she said. “Now the house key.”
“No way! That’s Daryl’s key.”
“Not a problem. We’ll see he gets it when he’s out. You gonna hand it over or am I gonna take it?”
“Well shit!” he mumbled, handing her the key.
“Good boy. Now get your ass out of here --- oh, yes, give your buddy, Daryl, a message. If he comes anywhere near Cindy or Sam, I’ll give him a whipping that will make last night look like a Sunday School picnic.”
“Sure, I’ll tell him, but this ain’t over. Not even close!”
When he was out of earshot, Judy grinned, “Well, that was fun.”
After helping Cindy gather her things and returning her and Sam to the Mayview Center, I headed home.
With the party Christmas Eve, the showdown with Daryl, and now the stand-off with his drinking buddy, I was pooped. My plan was to have a chilled glass of Arbor Mist, then kick back and take a nap.
I had just reached my apartment when the door opened and Jerry came out grinning like the Cheshire Cat.
“Hey, Walt.”
“Jerry! What were you doing here? Is everything okay?”
“Everything’s just peachy. Maggie has a big surprise for you.”
Swell, I thought. Any surprise that involved Jerry couldn’t be good.
“See you later,” he said, heading down the stairs. “Let me know how you like it.”
“Like what?”
“You’ll see!”
I stepped into the apartment and looked around. Everything seemed to be exactly as I remembered it.
Maggie heard me come in and greeted me with a big hug and kiss.
“I was so anxious for you to get home.”
“Yeah, I met Jerry in the hall. He said you had a big surprise.”
She nodded, obviously excited. “Alexa, say hi to Walt.”
A sultry female voice filled the room. “Hi Walt.”
I looked around, expecting to see company, but there was just the two of us.
“Alexa, tell Walt what we’re having for supper.”
The sultry voice spoke again. “Walt, we’re having your favorite, tuna casserole.”
“What the hell?” Then I spotted it --- the little black tube about six inches tall sitting on the end table.
My heart sank. “Noooooo! Please don’t tell me you bought one of those things.”
“Of course not, silly. I wouldn’t buy something like that without talking it over with you first.”
“And yet, here it is!”
“It was a gift from one of my clients. It was a difficult closing, and he appreciated my hard work. While you were out this morning, I had Jerry help me set it up. I wanted it to be a surprise.”
“Oh, it’s a surprise all right.”
She could tell by my tone I wasn’t pleased.
“What’s your problem, Walt? It was FREE!”
“My problem is that I don’t want Amazon spying on us. I’ve heard about these contraptions. They listen and tell Amazon everything you’re doing.”
“Walt! That’s ridiculous! It’s only active when you talk to it. Let me show you. It can do all kinds of wonderful stuff. Alexa, turn off the living room lights”
“Living room lights off,” the tube said, and the room was dark.
“Alexa, turn on the living room lights.”
“Living room lights on,” and the room was bright.
Maggie was beaming. “Isn’t that cool? Now watch this. Alexa, what time does Criminal Minds come on TV tonight?”
“Criminal Minds airs at 9 P.M. on channel 6. Would you like me to record it?”
“No thank you. Alexa, what will the temperature be at seven in the morning?”
“There will be partly cloudy skies with a temperature of 37 degrees Fahrenheit.”
She looked at me. “How could you not like that?”
“Wolves in sheep’s clothing,” I replied. “That’s how they suck you in. They give you cool stuff so you’ll want one, and once it’s installed, they’ve got you.”
“Walt, you’re impossible.”
“Oh really? Then how do you explain this? I bought some blades for my electric razor from Amazon. For the next week, I had razor ads all over my Facebook page. Then one day, I googled snow tires. Same thing. Tire ads all over my Facebook page. And emails! They even sent me email ads.”
“That’s different.”
“No it’s not. This crap is everywhere. You know that little plastic card we have scanned at the grocery store that gives us a discount off our gas?”
She nodded.
“Surely you realize the supermarket has a record of EVERYTHING we buy. They know I have hemorrhoids and you have hot flashes. They know we prefer our peanut butter creamy instead of chunky. We buy stuff at the store, give them our card, and the next week we get emails advertising exactly those products. Our lives are an open book! Now with this thing, they’ve invaded our home.”
Ignoring my ranting, she continued to sing Alexa’s praises. “Just imagine, there are seven microphones in that tube. She can pick up our commands from anywhere in the house.”
“That’s supposed to make me feel better? Remember Little Red Riding Hood. She said to the wolf, ‘My, what big teeth you have,’ and he replied, ‘The better to eat you with.’ My, Alexa, seven microphones. ‘Yes,’ she replies, ‘the better to spy on you!’”
Undaunted, she marched on. “Remember when I downloaded some of Robert Thornhill’s mystery/comedy series into my Kindle?”
I nodded.
“Watch this! Alexa, read Lady Justice and the Conspiracy by Robert Thornhill.”
“Accessing your Kindle library.” Brief pause. “Lady Justice and the Conspiracy. Chapter 1. Jack Carson switched on the dome light of his car and looked at his watch for the fourth time. The man he was supposed to meet was forty-five minutes late.”
