Chapter 5
THE BROAD IN QUEENS
After picking up my buggy, I headed back to the office. I had enough stuff to file a story with, for a change. I knew that George would most likely still be there, but I had some work to do. I needed a place to think things out too. Man, this case was driving me right up a wall. What was the gimmick? How did J.B. tie in on the deal. Why?
Let's face it. For those of you not too familiar with the City, I'll clue you in. Manhattan is a small island. It just looks big to the uninitiated. Actually, you can't fart too loud there without everyone in the Borough knowing about it. It is the smallest of the five Boroughs. It is also the liveliest ... for tourists. And, the most crowded for the natives.
But there are two things you got to remember about Manhattan. First, it's the easiest place in the world to get your ashes hauled. Second, absolutely no one there does anything for free. In Times Square, they'll even charge you for a glass of water.
So, working with those two facts, I came up with the following. First, the cunts weren't hard up. From their descriptions, they could get all the meat they wanted. Also, you could rule out the idea that they were just out for a lark. They had repeated themselves too many times.
That led me directly into the next fact. Bread, money, cash green, gold, moola, that 'ol magic wand!
I repeat again. No one does anything in Manhattan without being paid for it; usually, in advance. The mere fact that the girls had struck so many times indicated to me that they were doing it for monetary gain. Somehow. The fact that J.B. was mixed up in it somehow, only served to strengthen that conviction. That bird could smell a payoff a mile away.
The hitch was, why? What could there be about hauling a few nondescript guys in the can? How could anyone make any money from that? Blackmail? I thought about that. From what I had learned most of the guys barely had enough dough to take the subway. Those that did have a little bread had been checked out, and nothing ever came of it after that. They hadn't been contacted. Holly had the same idea, and had already checked the thing out, thoroughly. Deadend there. Then what?
I wracked my brain until my big toes hurt. I just couldn't come up with an angle that made sense. No matter how wild I made it, I just couldn't think of a way for anyone to make a buck out of this mish-mash. Yet, somehow, J.B. had figured a way. Now, all I had to do, was put the pieces together. If, I could find the right pieces.
After parking the bus, I took the elevator. It was late. Not too many people were left in the building. I was pleasantly surprised when the lift stopped at the third floor, and low and behold, if the bird I'd seen earlier that day didn't get on. Man was she stacked. Her thin blouse revealed an even thinner bra. I could almost see the nipples through it. My rod started getting up. I noticed that she glanced at my crotch. That only made it get harder.
It had been a long day. Collins's description of what he had been doing, and thinking about the terrible threesome roaming the city, had gotten me pretty worked up. The thought of tumbling this little bit of fluff didn't exactly turn me off. I winked at her. When she winked back, man I almost flipped.
"Kinda' late, isn't it?" I started off.
"I'm almost through for the night. I just have to stop on the fifth floor. I've got to look up some old copy. It's kind of spooky though. I mean, there isn't anyone up there this time of night. I'll be the only one there."
The way she said it, I knew that I had myself an invitation. When she pulled her shoulders back a little more, I knew for sure. This bird was asking to get the pole slipped to her. Now I could see her nipples plain. They were taut, pointed, yearning. The elevator passed four.
"Maybe it isn't too safe for a young thing like you to be all alone up there. Maybe that you need someone along. You know, sort of keep an eye on you."
I deliberately let my gaze linger on her upthrust tits. My dong started to throb a little bit. She returned my stare. Only hers was directed between my legs. With my jockey shorts holding my dong upright, making it bulge in front, she got a good eye full. The pink tip of her tongue brushed quickly over her lips. Her eyes lit up. She rubbed the palm of her hand over her skirt. I could see that it had been moist. Her skirt was darker where she had brushed it. Yea! This chick was ready all right. So was I.
"Yes. You're right. I guess maybe I would feel better if I had someone along. But, I hate to keep you from what ever it was you were doing. I mean, if you have something more important to do, please don't let me stop you."
I grinned. This bird couldn't be real. What was more important than putting the blocks to a good looking chick? The elevator ground to a stop at five. The door slid open.
"Not at all. I'll enjoy the change."
She smiled. Her eyes danced. She stepped out of the car. I followed close behind, enjoying the way her hips wiggled. I could tell she didn't wear a girdle underneath. I'd bet that her panties were thin, frilly, and black. Also, a little wet right then.
"What's your name?" I asked. After all, it did seem like a good idea to at least know the moniker of a broad before you fucked her. Made things kind of cozy.
"Shirley. Shirley Johnson. Your's?"
"John Bartley. Friends call me Johnny. I'm a reporter around here. You work in ad?"
"Yea. About a month now."
I was walking beside, and just a little behind. I saw that she was exaggerating the swing of her arm. Each back swing missed hitdng me in the joint by only a fraction of an inch. I saw that she was glancing down, out of the corner of her eye, judging what she was doing. I smiled. Then I joined the game.
Moving up slightly, I made sure my dingus was lined up. She swung back! Bump! Not really too hard. Just enough for her to get a good feel of how hard it was. She kept walking.
I moved up a little further. Her arm came back again. Bump! This time it was harder, and she got a better feel. It still didn't hurt, but I pretended it did.
"Obhh!" I moaned, bending over.
"Oh! I'm sorry. Did I hurt it ... er, I mean you?"
"No! Not too much anyway. I think you got me in the ba ... I mean down low. You know, between the legs."
"That's terrible."
Her voice sounded sincerely concerned. But I knew that she was just going along with the game. She had turned toward me. There wasn't a sound on the whole floor we were on. We were all alone. I went for broke.
Reaching down, I rubbed my balls, tenderly, as if they hurt. Shit, man, they did hurt a little, only not from the bump she had given them. The pink tip brushed her lips again. Even in the dim light I could see her eyes sparkling. I almost knew her next line.
"I'm so sorry. Really I am. That could be dangerous. I do hope I didn't hurt you too bad. Maybe you should check. You know, look to see if anything is wrong. It never hurts to be careful."
Her voice was low, husky, full of lust. I was sure she would go along with the next bit.
"Yea! you're right. It's best to be careful. But ... I can't check it very well myself. I mean ... it's in kind of an odd place, and in this light, it would be hard to see. It would be best if I had some one else check. The First Aid Office is on the fourth floor. I guess I should go down there. But ... if anything is wrong, I might hurt it even more by walking around. Gee! Guess I'm in kind of a fix."
Her gaze was riveted to the bulge in my pants. Nervously she glanced up and down the corridor. Confident that we were alone, she returned her attention to me.
"I ... I feel sorta' responsible. I certainly wouldn't want you to walk around and really injury anything. I mean, that would make me feel terrible. I certainly wouldn't want anything like that on my conscience."
The soft, pinkness flicked. Her voice had gotten lower. My dong had gotten harder. If she didn't stop fucking around I was going to drop her and dick her right in the hall.
"I wouldn't want you to feel you had to do anything. It's probably nothing. But, if I had it checked ... you know, just to make absolutely sure, I would feel better about it. Just to be safe." I rubbed my balls tenderly again.
"Well, I guess maybe I could at least do that for you. I mean, after all, it was my fault." She took a timid step forward.
"I, wouldn't ... that is, you understand ... there is nothing personal in this. It's just that you might be hurt. You understand?"
"Oh sure," I replied, fighting back a grin.
"Will you, I mean, wouldn't it be best if you undid your pants?" Her voice was barely audible.
With two quick flips my belt was undone, zipper down. My pants dropped to my knees. My cock, swollen painfully, bulged upright in my jockey shorts. My aching balls filled the sack. I heard her gasp a short, deep, intake. Through the thin nylon of Shirley's blouse and bra I could plainly see the outline of her swollen nipples. By Shit, but she was stacked. My dick throbbed. I knew she could see it pulsating. I found it hard to swallow. Keerist, but I was hot.
Gingerly her hand reached out. She pulled it back. I could see the deep crimon flush on her face. She was hot too. Again, Shirley's hand reached out. Gently she touched my balls through the sack. The warmth of her hand penetrated the cotton. My dick throbbed hotter, harder, larger. I knew she could feel it.
Man was I hot. But, like with this kind of bird, you had to play it cool. Like, you didn't just drop her and dick her. No! She had to play the game. She had to be made to think that you really didn't think she was that kind of girl. Bullshit. It was a real pain in the ass. But the only way to ease the pain in my balls. This kind of bird had to be able to say she really hadn't wanted to, afterwards. Screwy! That's the game though.
"Does it hurt there?" she asked hoarsely.
"A little I think. You will probably have to look at them. I would pull my shorts down, but I'm kina' afraid to bend. Would, that is, if you would pull them down for me."
She nodded. With both hands, she slowly began tugging at the waistband. She was bent over. Straightening, she laid the large envelope she was carrying on the floor. Then she knelt on it. Her full, ripe, juicy lips were directly in line with my dick. It throbbed even harder.
Again she tugged. The white cover began to descend. The head of my enlarged organ appeared. Her gaze was riveted on it. I could see her chest rising, and falling. The tender tip wetted her lips again. She pulled my shorts down further.
As more and more of my joint was exposed, I could clearly hear her harsh breathing. When at last my cock flopped free of its carrying pack, it bounced directly in her face, not an inch away from her mouth. I could feei her hot breath on the tingling, purplish head. Oh, shit, but it felt good. Shirley's breathing became deeper, more labored. Her line of sight was directly over the long barrel of my meat. I knew she wanted to suck my dick so badly she could already taste it. I wanted her to also. I thrust my hips forward, without moving my feet. She didn't move. I moved forward a little more. The heat of her mouth burned the head of my dick furiously. Absentmindedly, she pulled my shorts down more, freeing my semen filled balls.
Shirley's pouting lips parted slightly. Thrusting forward again the small hole on the tip of my cock made contact. Her eyes closed. My hands went to her head. She didn't resist. I shuffled my feet forward a couple inches. Half the rubbery tip forced its way between her already slightly open lips. The excitement and pleasure-pain I was experiencing was excruciating. I heard myself moan.
Her hot, delicate hand found the root of my cock. She held it, the heat from her hand doing crazy things to me. I knew she could feel my dick throbbing in her hand, and against her lips. That was what she wanted. I felt the tantalizing tip of her tongue search out, then find, the opening on the tip of my bean. She probed it deliciously. I pushed my pelvis into her again. The engorged knob disappeared from sight. I trembled as her soft lips brushed over the surface, and again when I felt the flat of her taster washing over it. I heard myself moan again. This time she joined in.
Simultaneously, I pulled her into me, and jammed my dick into her orifice. She opened wide to receive me. More than half of my dick sunk into her mouth. I could feel the head touching the inner reaches of her throat. I was so far in her that she tightened her grip on my dick, and with her free hand, cupped my sagging balls.
The hot wetness of her mouth was wonderful. Slowly I began rocking back and forth. My dick flinched each time she allowed her teeth to scrape over it. She used her teeth against the back edge of my cockhead to keep me from pulling it all the way out. At the same time, her tongue savored the taste of my meat, the sensuous fire and force of it running riot through her tempestuous body. Shirley was gorging herself on the pulsating flesh; licking, teasing, tasting, testing each vein. Sweet, tasty, shit! She sure could suck a man's cock.
Time and again I pumped my meat into her like a steam engine. She moaned, squeezing my come filled balls as if trying to pump my come into her mouth.
Putting one hand behind her head, alternately pulling her into me, then letting her escape, I dropped the other to her tit. Just as I had thought, they were firm, hard, erect; yet soft and yielding, begging to be tantalized. Grasping her nipple between my thumb and forefinger, I rolled it back and forth. She groaned loudly. I fucked into her mouth faster. Holy bird-turds! I wanted to shoot my load in her mouth so bad my asshole hurt. I wanted her to swallow it, gulp it, drink it until every last fucking drop was in her.
I fucked into her in long, deep, hard thrusts. As overwhelming as it was, nonetheless, mental images kept sliding in and out of my consciousness. The huge Black on the stage. Oh, but she felt good. She squeezed my balls harder.
What was the angle? Where was the money? Shirley sucked hard at the head. I almost shot off right then. Keerist! She was going to devour me; whole. I squeezed her nipple harder. She moaned louder, wiggling. Her head vibrated faster.
"I'm almost ready to come." I breathed throatily.
Shirley stopped. Her tongue flicked over the head tantalizingly. Then, she pulled the wet saliva covered dingus from its warm haven. I was startled. I looked down.
"Fuck me first. I ... I want to feel it between my legs. Please! Ohhhhh. I'm so hot."
There was a desk nearby. Right then I didn't give a damn where I shot off, just so I did. Grabbing her hand, I pulled her over to the desk. My cock swayed pointedly. With my pants around my legs, it was rough going. I pushed her back onto the table. She adroitly lifted her short skirt. I had been right. They were black and wet. In one swift motion I yanked them down, and off. Her bare cunt pouted at me provocatively. The lips were swollen. I could see the soft, moist, inner flesh peeking out between them. She hadn't been kidding. She was hotter than a dime store pistol.
Shirley lay back on the desk, her legs open wide. My dick lined up perfectly, I crawled on top of her. The wooden structure creaked under our combined weight. Then I stabbed into her.
"Ahhhhh!" she moaned. Half my cock knifed into her no hot flesh. Her legs opened wider, went up higher. I jabbed myself forward again, this time harder. More of my meat plunged into her. She groaned deeply, gripping my arms tightly.
Jamming into her, I succeeded in completely burying my joint deep inside her. Pulling out an inch, I jabbed forward again; then rotated my hips. Her pussy muscles gripped my dingus hard, and crying out, she violently shook her head from side to side.
"Ohhhh! You ... You're so big. Oouuuu! It feels so wonderful. Fuck me. Fuck the hell outa' me Johnny. Ohhhh, I'm so hot."
With determination I began fucking her; short, hard jabbing thrusts, ending each time with rotating my hips in a circular motion. My arms felt as if they were in a vise. I supported myself on my hands, allowing me to look down into her face. It was contorted. She shook her head repeatedly, licking her bee-stung lips. I pounded at her' harder.
Now Shirley was lifting herself to me; trying to drive my dick even deeper into her. She tried to pull herself up to me. She was going wild. I fucked into her faster and faster. I could feel my semen building rapidly. I would come any minute.
Defdy, I looped my arms under her legs, and soon had the back side of her knees resting on my shoulder. She was completely vulnerable now. I began making long more powerful strokes. She cried out each time I drove the fall length of it home in her.
"Oh, Johnny! Oh Johnny! Oh! Oh! Oh! Oh, Johnny! I, I, I ... 'm gonna' ... com ... Ah! Ah ... come! Harder! Deeper! Fas'er! Fuck me, Johnny. Fuck me!"
Shirley was bouncing so tumultuously under me now that the desk was moving. I pulled out of her as far as I dare, then sent my bolt slamming into her with the speed j and power of a piston. She yelled, clutched hard, then dissolved into a paroxym of motion.
Her velvety muscles pulled at my prick with staccato beats. My mouth was bone dry. My heart pounded painfully. My lungs were seared by the heated gasps of air I managed to force into them. The unyielding desk surface ground agonizingly into my kneecaps.
I creamed in her! The first hot jet of semen elicited a passionate moan from both of us.
"I'm coming. I'm coming," I managed to breathe, then the multi-colored lights exploded in my head in a kaleidoscopic panorama. I banged into her with all my might.
"Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes," Shirley bleated. "Do it. Hard ... fast ... Ohhhhhh! Come-Ah!-in me. Come! Aughhh!"
With unbelievable strength, Shirley pulled herself up to me, glueing her lips to mine. Then her mouth was on my shoulder, her teeth sinking deep into the tender flesh. I felt nothing, except repeated volcanic explosions in my groin, sending jet after jet of hot, milky lava cascading into her gash. Shirley's ankles locked, scissor-like, around my neck. The bitch was choking the shit outa' me, but all I could think of was getting as much of that sweet, delicious, juicy, warm pussy wrapped around my joint as possible. Holy Shit, but was she ever a wild fuck. Almost as good as ... I thought of Wanda, and had a momentary pang of guilt. It was gone faster than it came. The sensational things she was doing to my rod with her sensitive cunt muscles blocked out everything now.
Then, it was over. As wildly obstreperous had the love-making been, now our bodies were equally tranquil, at peace. As ululating as our expressions of passions had been, now were our contented sighs of satisfaction subdued, quiescence; almost contrition for the effervescence of our ardor.
Occasionally my dingus, still buried deep, twitched. Purring quietly, Shirley squeezed it. I kissed her.
"Wow," Shirley said. "I needed that. Really. I was so hot I thought I was going to die. It's been so long." She hugged me to her, letting her nails scratch pleasantly over my back.
What the fuck! This was certainly a switch. No recriminations. No tears. No, "I've never done anything like this before." No false modesty, followed by shame and anger. Nothing-except warm, soft, cuddly, purring womanhood. Man, this Shirley was really some lay. She was the greatest. A man would have to go a long way to find any better pussy than she had. And the way she sucked! Outa' sight, baby! If she learned to blow a trumpet like that, she'd put 'ol Satchmo to shame.
We just lay there, coupled together, enjoying the glorious after glow. But, like all good things, it had to end. Shirley cleared her throat, at the same time making as if to take her legs off my shoulders. It was done.
"Someone might come," she whispered.
Raising myself, I grinned down at her. "We just did," I answered flippantly. Finding her breast, I squeezed it gently. Reluctantly, I began withdrawing. Shirley moaned her protest. Yea, baby. She was one fine piece of ass. Had to remember to get back to her. Soon.
Reaching for my handkerchief, I quickly wiped the come off my flaccid prick. Kissing her lightly on the lips, I pressed the soiled cloth to her still open pussy. Smiling, she reached down and held it in place. I pulled my shorts up as she swung herself off the desk. We had a hell of a time finding her panties. In my lust, I had really flung them.
As we waited for the elevator I suddenly remembered what we supposedly had come to the fifth floor for. I reminded Shirley. Smiling, an impish glint in her eye, she reached out and patted my docile dong.
"I've got news for you Mr. Bartley. I got what I came to the fifth floor for."
Just like that. Right out with it. Yep, this chick was really up front all right. She had known what she wanted, and gotten it. All the time I had thought I had been making her. It was just the other way about. Groovy!
The lift came. We stepped in. Pausing briefly, I pushed number seven. All good things had to end. Shirley sighed heavily. As the door closed, she leaned her head against my shoulder.
"It was nice. You're good." My ego went into orbit. "I liked it. I, I hope we can do it again sometime. Anytime. I have my own apartment. Live alone. No roommates or anything like that to worry about. If you want, I'll give you my number."
Instantly my "Happiness Manual" was out, and I had scribbled her name, address, and phone number in it. Quickly I kissed her as the elevator slowed to a stop. Squeezing her tit one last time, I promised that I'd be in touch. Soon. Her whole countenance brighten. Ah, what a joy to give happiness. All in a days work.
Pressing the ground floor button, I stepped off, then watched the door slide shut, blocking her from view. The elevator indicator showed the car going down. I smiled as I remembered that was how it had all started. Savoring the memory, I headed for my desk.
Much to my surprise, George was already gone. Glancing at my watch, I was genuinely surprised to see that over an hour had elapsed since I had first come into the building. Who woulda' guessed it. Man, that Shirley was sure some fine fuckin' stuff. I patted my back pocket, making sure the 'Happiness Manual' was there. Then I turned my thoughts to the caper.
Quickly, I ran over everything I knew. Purdy, the other guys, Collins, the three tumultuous dolls. The Black giant, his partner, their act, J.B.; particularly J.B., and his vague connection. I thought about Eddie, Vito, the "Red Rose," and wracked my brains trying to find a connecting link. With inner amusement and sympathy I reflected on the Pandora's box that was poor Collins. Boy, that guy sure had gotten himself fucked up. Poor bastard.
The camera, blackmail, the victims themselves. How? Why? Not one of them had anything in common except for being triple balled in the men's crapper. None had been contacted later. There was simply no rhyme or reason for any of it.
What made the whole thing even more an enigma was J.B. Now you gotta' understand this guy. He had his crooked fingers in every pie in town; the State for that matter. Maybe even the whole fucking country. No one, outside of J.B. himself, knew for sure just how vast his transgressive Empire was. All that was known for sure was that J.B. was the "Big Boy."
Anything he was mixed up in meant money. And I don't mean peanuts. Ten, fifteen thousand were openers for him. He probably had that much in his pocket all the time, in small change. No, when you talked about J.B. and money in the same breath, you were talking about millions. So how did it figure? Three broads ball ignoble guys in the crapper, and somehow that son-of-a-bitch has figured a way to turn it into big bread. But how, goddamn it? How? Could it all be an ignis fatuus? A will-of-the-wisp? Red Herring?
My intense concentration was broken by the jangling bell of the telephone. It was Holly. As usual, he sounded cool as hell. There were times when he really bugged me.
"Yea Holly. What gives," I snapped.
"Whazza' matter? She wouldn't put out?"
"Just the opposite 'ol pal 'o mine. She fucked me, sucked me, and rewound my watch all at the same time." I didn't know why I was being so sharp with Holly. Just felt that way I guess. I heard Holly chuckle. The son-of-a-bitch! He knew when he was gettin' to me. Once, just once, I would like to see that mother blow his cool. Fat chance. If St. Pete himself walked up to Holly and told him it was his time, Holly would just look him straight in the eye and ask to see some identification. That was Holly. I sometimes got the feeling he had motor oil in his veins instead of human sap. But, when the going got rough, pal there wasn't a better guy in the whole fuckin', fucked up world to have on your side. You better believe it, dad.
"Had dinner?" he drawled.
Something was up. Holly just wasn't the kind that called you up and offered to cut a bowl of Wonton for kicks.
"No," I replied flatly. Bastard! I'd play it just as close-to the ass as he did.
"Just got a call." He paused. I could hear him exhale a stream of smoke. Come on Holly. Give sweetheart. Give.
"From Tina. Out in Queens. Wants to see us. For din-din. Says its important. Interested?"
"Tina!" I exclaimed. The lousy, no-good, chickenfuckin', ass-kissin', ticket-fixin' poker-playin' cop son-of-abitch. Man, when it came to dropping 'em in outa' left field, this cat took the bakery. The whole fuckin' bakery.
Was I interested? Would Spiro Who be interested in a signed confession of Commie Conspiracy from Senator J. W. Fuldim? Would Lindsay Landslide be interested in finding out who stole his false teeth just before he was supposed to go on TV? Would Rockabeller be interested in learning how to play "Chattanooga Choo-choo? Would George be interested in finding out who slipped him the 'ol Turppy? Why hadn't the bastard come out with it in the first place, instead of playing ring-around-the-shit-bowl?
"Tina!" I exclaimed again. "You mean the genuine, imitation, Horn'a-Plenty that put our boy Collins into the 'Twilight Zone'? Aww, come on, Holly, baby. What the fucks that strange got to do with this caper? Goddamn man. This soap opera's already got more loose ends than a spaghetti factory." I groaned audibly.
"No sweat chum. Just thought I'd give you a ring. If you want to sit this one out, 'ts O.K. by me. Keep in touch."
"Holly!" I screamed into the receiver. "You hang up on me you apple stealin' motherfucker you, and so help me I'll ... I'll...."
Holly's deep, masculine laughter on the other end infuriated me even more. "Pick you up in front in ten minutes," he said, then the line went dead. Fifteen minutes later we were headed for the midtown tunnel.
The night was hot, muggy; normal for the city. The pollution hung over the skyscrapers like a pall. We had the windows down, the dull, repetitious monotones of the police radio, unfolding the tragic, amusing, dangerous, sometimes fatal, saga of the city and the people in it.
I had calmed down considerably since speaking to Holly over the phone. What the fuck. We all blow off a little steam once in a while. That was one of the good things about having a guy like Holly for a pal. He kept me from ever taking myself too damned serious.
This late in the evening there wasn't much traffic and it took only a short time before we had passed through the tunnel and found ourselves on the expressway leading to Flushing; one of the best parts of the city ... for living. The people seemed more at ease, there was less crime, and there were a hell of a lot more trees, sidewalks, grass (The green variety), and nice-lookin' broads. That's the way it is with Queens. All the cunt works in the city-fucks in the suburbs.
I was still going over the events of the day. Shirley's memory warmed my insides. I almost believed in Santa Claus again. Just then it flashed into my mind that I had promised Wanda that I'd be there before she went to work. Glancing at my watch, I saw that it was only a couple of hours before she was due at the "Red Rose." Urgently pressing Holly to find a phone booth, I jumped out of the car even before it slid to a stop. Now, just cross my fingers and hope that the phone works.
My luck was still holding. It worked. First I called my place. I let it ring ten or twelve times. No answer. Maybe Wanda went back over to her place. I dialed that. Still no answer. What the hell. Maybe she was in between. Sometimes, if she got pissed off enough, and she knew I was calling, she would just sit there, listening to the phone ring.
I did some fast calculating. I had given her a quickie in the morning. That would have pissed her off a little bit. Next, I'd promised I'd call her. I hadn't, not all day. That would piss her off even more. I'd promised to be home early. It was already after eight, and I was half way into Queens. She didn't know the last bit, but she could tell time.
Yep! That would make her uptight enough to make her just sit by the phone. I could almost see her. Eyes flashing, mouth puckered, arms folded, legs drawn up under her as she perched on the couch. With each ring, she would huff and puff, getting more and more pissed.
Hanging up, I sighed deeply, lit a cigarette and watched a miniskirted little bit of fluff wiggle down the street. Holly beeped the horn. He was impatient. Fuck him. He'd gotten me bananas earlier. Let him get a little constipated now. Besides, when Wanda got her ass in an uproar like this, it meant I'd spend a miserable couple of days until she came down again.
Ordinarily this wouldn't bug me too much. But under the circumstances, I had an ominous foreboding. Wanda had been too boxed out of her cork last night for me to clue her in on what had happened at the party. Naturally, I wasn't about to tell her everything. I'd wind up with Collins if I did. But the fact that she would probably show at the "Red Rose," not knowing that Eddie had the hots for me, made me uneasy. The way him and Vito had looked at me as I'd left last night still had me vexed. It was sorta' like they had taken an overdose of Ex-Lax and were just feeling the results.
Tossing the half smoked fag into the gutter, I stepped back into the squad car. Holly looked at me questioningly. When I didn't say anything, he shrugged his shoulders, put the car in gear, eased out onto the main thoroughfare, and gunned the motor. Holly had the patience of Job. I decided that it would be best to level with him. Besides, I hadn't had the chance to completely clue him in yet.
"You still up a tree about J.B.?" I ventured, lighting another weed. Holly had had the same reaction I'd first had about J.B.'s involvement. It just didn't make any sense. The money angle just didn't dovetail.
"Aren't you? After all, maybe the creep was telling you the truth for once. Maybe he is just doing a favor. Of course, it probably is to his advantage. Must have something else up his sleeve, and isn't too interested in having us snooping around. Might stumble onto somethin' by accident. Could be, ya' know. It's the only way the fuckin' jigsaw figures."
I nodded my head absently. Holly was right of course. Yet, somehow I just couldn't believe it. It just didn't sound like J.B.'s style. If he had something else up his sleeve, and felt that there was even the slightest danger of it being uncovered, he would take more direct and positive action. What? Simple. He would simply plug up any possibility of a leak; permanently. The "Big Boy" just wasn't the kind to smile and forget it when someone threatened one of his operations. Not that guy.
Quickly I ran back over the events of the party with Holly. Then I told him about my fears for Wanda. I quizzed him again about the possibility of blackmail. He vehemently insisted that there wasn't the briefest hint of that. At least, not with the guys that had been involved so far.
The fact of the camera, as recounted by Collins, plus my own tale about the cameraman behind the picture, gave us some thought. What could it mean? If blackmail had even been a possibility, then it would all be simple. Rule that out, and you had nothing.
We even went so far as to speculate that he was going to try a new wrinkle on pornographic films. This was tossed into the shit can in a hurry. Didn't make sense. There were hundreds of guys around that would go along with that bit for free. Just for the chance to bust some good looking pussy. Besides, using porno film like that would be the dumbest thing around. Automatic evidence, and another of J.B.'s trademarks was always to leave absolutely no clues. Nope. That didn't fit either.
Shit, but I was getting a headache from just thinking about the whole deal. I decided to change the subject.
"So what's this broad in Queens got to do with anything?" I asked. Holly still hadn't given me any information.
"Don' know. Just got a call from her. Seems she's pretty hung up on our boy Collins. Tracked him to the hospital. Found out from the Doc that we'd been there. Called me. Said she had some information that was important. Asked her could she tell me over the phone? She said no, too important. Said if I'd come by tonight, she'd have some groceries ready, and spill what she knew."
Holly paused, maneuvered adroitly around a cab, missed a kid on a bike, raced through a yellow light, then went on.
"Since we ain't got even a sniff of an idea, I guess maybe its worth the trouble. Who knows? She just might give us the goddamn key that will unlock this freaky mystery."
I had to agree with Holly. Right now, anything would be an improvement. Both of us were right up a tree on this one. Yet, there had to be an answer, and once it was known, if it ever was, it would probably be so damned simple I'd kick myself silly for not having seen it sooner. I consoled myself by thinking about Shirley, and that afternoon on the fifth floor. Then, frowning, I thought about Wanda. Oh well. Nothin' I could do about that right now. Besides, nothing was likely to happen. Eddie wouldn't even fart unless J.B. gave him the beans first.
Tina lived in one of those new, modern, high-rise, apartment buildings that had sprung up like crazy all over New York. Holly had the apartment number, and soon we were being ushered into one of the most beautifully furnished living rooms I'd ever seen, by one of the most gorgeous blondes I'd ever laid my sex happy 'ol peepers on. Man, oh, man. Collins had been right. This babe was right out of the pages of Vogue. Stacked, long-legged, perfectly coiffed, immaculately attired.
My joint gave a jump, and I could see that even Holly was impressed. This doll was sex with a capital "S." I found it impossible to believe that she was a he. It just couldn't be. I had seen broads who would have given their right tits to look half as good as she did. No wonder the poor bastard nipped out. If I'd been fucked around like he'd been, then found something like this, then discovered 'Made in Japan' stamped all over it, I would have reacted the same way. Shit? It was impossible. This just had to be the put on to end all put ons. I reflected quickly if I could talk her into proving she was all pussy.
After seating us, pouting prettily when Holly informed her that we simply couldn't accept her dinner invitation, but that we were very much interested in any information she might have, she seemed mollified when we agreed to have some coffee. It was delicious, and the little cakes she served with it were enough to make a married man leave home. Shit! I wasn't a married man and I was ready to leave home.
Tina was sitting across from me, and the miniskirt she carefully adjusted just teased me even more. It didn't quite come down far enough, and I could have sworn that just a hint of pale blue peeked out from under it. This just had to be a real broad. If she wasn't, my balls were sure as hell picking up the wrong signals.
Relaxing, the coffee settling warmly in my stomach, I looked around. The walls were covered with tastefully selected prints. The chick had taste. A Stereo wafted out soft, soothing, after-dinner music. The lush warmth of the room seeped into me. The furniture was luxurious, yet not extravagant. It had a comfortable, meant to be used quality about it. The decorations blended perfectly with the relaxed, yet, sumptuous quality of the atmosphere. I could well see why Collins would have been deeply affected. I was. So was Holly. The son-of-a-bitch was really squirming.
Holly put his cup and saucer on the ornate coffee table. Clearing his throat, he looked at Tina. She looked back at him, her face radiant, outgoing, inviting. Kiss my ass but she was some kinda' broad. This just couldn't be the same one Collins had blown his gaskets over. Impossible.
"Now Miss Perkins," Holly began. The chick beamed at him.
"Please call me Tina," she breathed. My joint jumped like a Mexican jumping bean. When she shifted slightly, my eyeballs were gently massaged with an ample view of soft, silky, pale blue. She was wearing a garter belt and stockings.
"Very well. Now, Tina, you said on the phone that you had some information, and that it was important. I hate to push you, but we would appreciate hearing what you have."
"Yes, of course. I do wish you gentlemen could have dinner. I prepared a roast duck. Just for you."
She smiled again, and my insides melted. I could almost taste that duck. I could almost taste her too. I began to wonder what she would taste like. It suddenly seemed uncomfortably warm.
"I'm sorry we can't, but I'm afraid we're in something of a hurry. Perhaps some other time. Now, would you please...." Holly's voice trailed off. The bastard. He was probably thinking this would have been a real setup if I weren't along. I could just bet his ass that he would try for some other time all right. Asshole. Hell of a pal he was.
"Very well. Although I must confess I'm disappointed." When she pouted, my stomach turned over several times. Man, was she some kinda' sweet. I could just imagine her long legs wrapped around...! Sweet Shit. I was getting stones.
Shrugging her delicate shoulders, Tina leaned forward, put her glass on the coffee table, sighed, then took on a very serious expression. I hated to see the change. In a way though, it was something of a relief. I felt some of the pressure between my legs lessen. Folding her arms, she began.
"As you gentlemen know, Don and I, that is Mr.
Collins ... are, er ... rather, were rather close." She bowed her head, and I noted a faint coloring tinge her face. She didn't see Holly nod.
"After our ... misunderstanding, Don became rather upset. He went into the City. When I hadn't heard from him in a day or two, I became worried. I started searching for him. His regular haunts, mutual friends, things like that. I got very close, then discovered that he was in the ... hospital." Her voice had become edgy. She was obviously finding it difficult.
"Well, anyway. During my search for Don, I found myself in some rather sorrid surroundings. I was sitting in one of these places when three young ladies came in. They definitely didn't fit. Not the type. Even the bartender commented that it looked like he was attracting a better crowd that day." Lowering her head again, she definitely blushed. I could just imagine the horny bastard leering at her from the other side of the bar.
"They sat at a back booth. I didn't pay much attention you understand. I was busy looking at the street, hoping to catch a glance of Don.
"After a bit, I had to go to the ladies room. While I was in there ... Oh yes, I'm getting a little ahead of my story. After the girls had sat for awhile, they got up and left. It was then that I went to powder my nose."
"While I was in the restroom, they suddenly burst in. I don't think they knew I was there. They were giggling, having a ball. Honestly, I thought maybe they were hopped up on something. At first I didn't pay any attention to what they were saying, until I realized that they were talking about having ... er, how shall I say it?"
Again Tina dropped her face. The chick was really flustered. Knowing that if she had any 'information about the caper we were working on, it probably would prove a Utile disquieting to tell it. Especially to a couple of strange dudes like us. Holly and I waited patiently for her to regain her composure.
Clearing her throat, Tina went on. "They were talking about having raped a man. At first, I couldn't believe I was hearing right. I listened carefully. I found out later that apparently it was Don." Now her tone was cold as charity. I could just see her if she ever got her hands on those broads. Instant disaster area, baby. This was one chick who definitely didn't dig some other monkey monkeying around with her monkey. Maybe Collins didn't know it, but he was a real lucky fucker to have a bird like Tina warm for his form. She was the type that stuck ... through thick or thin. Chicks like Tina were few and far between.
"Are you sure?" Holly pressed.
"Yes," Tina replied, nodding her head vigorously. "After I realized what they were saying, I listened very carefully."
"Did you see them? Could you recognize them again?"
"I'm afraid not," Tina said sadly. I could tell that she was really wanting to help. So far though, she hadn't told us anything we didn't already know. I was disappointed.
"Is there anything else you can remember?" I asked.
"Oh yes! One of the girls called the other by name."
Both Holly and I perked up instantly. A name. That was the first hint of a break we'd had. Maybe this wasn't such a wasted trip after all. She could tell we-were hot to trot now.
"One of them was named Ellen. Another was called Lois. I didn't hear what the thud one was called. Oh yes, one of them also had a small, crescent scar on her left ankle. That was all I could see of them. Their feet."
Instantly my mind raced back to the party. The redhead. Her name had been Ellen. And, all the reports always indicated a redhead involved. My ticker was really pumping now. I just knew we were getting close. This was the first time anything had even remotely connected J.B. and anyone around him directly.
The bit about the scar clicked too. I didn't know why though. You know how it is when something sticks in your head, then later when it comes up again you remember something, but you can't remember what it is? Well, that's the way it was with me and the scar. There was something about it that rang a bell. I just couldn't put my finger on it.
So far, Tina was coming on strong. She had told us more in one minute than we'd been able to uncover in a week. Yep! She was some other kinda' chick all right. But, she wasn't through yet.
"Anything else Tina? Think. Think hard. You're doing just great," Holly effused. He was almost as excited as I was. He knew that we just might have stumbled onto something really big.
Realizing how up in the air we were, and catching the bug a little bit herself, Tina went on. "Well, there was something else. Something they said. I ... I can't seem to remember it too clearly. Actually, it didn't make much sense to me."
"Try, Tina, try," Holly pleaded, leaning forward. His face was strained, and it appeared as if he were almost holding his breath, afraid that if he breathed too hard, it might distract her.
"Well," she began, closing her eyes as if trying to visualize the scene again. "It went something like ... 'only two more days. Glad we finally got the prelims over with'. Then, one of the other girls agreed with her. She said, 'yea, me too. Man, but won't those Hallelujah cats flip?'"
The chick had her eyes shut tight, straining like, trying to recall everything. She was really up front, dad. If that fucking Collins didn't make the long scene with her, he deserved to spend the rest of his dumb ass life in the freak out factory. Like, she was outa' sight, baby.
"Then, the other giggled, and the one called Lois, I think, said, 'dig it. I can hardly wait to glom their faces.' That's all. At least all I can remember. Oh! Oh yes. One of them did say something about she would be glad when someone or the other, she didn't use a man's name, just initials, laid some bread on them. The other two agreed with her, then they left." She opened her eyes, sighed deeply, and looked inquiringly at us.
"J.B.! Is that the initials they used J.B.?" I blurted.
"Yes!" Tina answered immediately. "That's it. J.B. Those are the initials they used. How did you know?"
Holly and I exchanged excited glances. Tina had done it. She had given us the first real solid connection. We both knew now for sure that we were on the right track. Now if we could just find the fucking train, we'd be shittin' in the uptown crapper. We were both so enthusiastic now we were almost rabid.
"Baby! You're the greatest," I exploded.
"Right on," seconded Holly. "You've been of invaluable help. It's impossible for us to express our appreciation."
Tina smiled brightly. It was the kinda' smile that made a guy go all soft inside. You know what I mean, right? Ya' go all soft inside, but at the same time, you get kinda' hard in certain places. Like, between the legs. Oouuuu! I was gettin' the stones again. Quickly, my mind went to Wanda. I couldn't help worrying. I asked Tina if I could use her telephone. She quickly nodded.
First, I called my pad. No answer. Glancing at my watch, I knew that she would be at work now. I called the club. They said she had called in sick. Now I was really worried. Nervously, I dialed her number. She picked up on the second ring.
"'lo," her deep, sexy voice said.
"Wanda? Where th' fuck you been? I been tryin' to get you all day." My anxiety spilled over into my voice.
"Liar! Asshole!" she yelled back. "You been out gettin' your goddamn ashes hauled, that's what you been doin'. Now I guess you think all you gotta' do is call me, and everything will be jus' ducky! Fuck you!" She slammed the receiver down.
I grinned to myself. Everything was all right. I would have to lay some pretty good shit on her, but she would come around without too much trouble. Also, I was relieved that she hadn't gone to the club. Dizzy broad. But, that's the way broads are. When they're hot, they'll burn the piss outa' ya'. But when they turn cold-brrrr! Enough to freeze the balls offa' brass monkey. Thinkin' about the fun I'd have warming Wanda up, I felt a stirring inside. I was in a hurry now. I went back to the living room.
Holly was standing. He was ready too. Good. Tina was saying something about Holly helping Collins, and he agreed. Promising to let her know what developed, and telling her to call us immediately if she remembered anything else, we left.
Tina bathed us again in the genuine warmth of her dazzling smile. I felt all tight inside again. Man, she was some broad. Collins would really have to be nuts to let that chick get away from him. I didn't give a good fuck if she did have 'Made in Japan' stamped all over her. She was the most woman I'd seen in a long, long time. Once we got in the car I pumped Holly about it.
"Face it, John. She's all she. Even Collins admitted that he balled the shit outa' her for a couple of days. He couldn't tell the difference then, and would have never known if he hadn't accidently discovered it right?"
I nodded my head in agreement, again thinking what it would feel like to have those long, gorgeous, legs wrapped around me.
"And just look at her," Holly went on. "How many chicks you ever seen that came even close to her? Also, she's pretty well hung up on Collins. Chemistry, I guess. Made me promise that I'd go by to see him, and try to talk him into calling her. Said tell him that she was ready and waitin' anytime. Now tell me, Johnny, baby. How would you like to have something like that just glowin' all over for you to put the blocks to her? Huh?"
I only nodded my head in answer, staring dreamily out the window. I couldn't help thinking that Tina and Collins would work things out all right between them. Like Holly said. The guy banged her real good for a coupla' days, didn't know the diff. So, that meant it had to all be in his head. Yea! That's it. All in his noggin! Maybe the shrinks could rewire his thinker, and then they would be groovy again. Honestly, I hoped so.
Yep! That Tina was some kinda' groovy bird. The broad from Queens had it all. Like, man, a guy meets a broad like that only once in a lifetime. If ya' blow it, you just don' get no second chance. Flipping my fag out the window, watching it arch behind us, I silently wished Collins would see what kinda' deal he was fuckin' up. Leaning back, I nostalgically watched a far off subway train as it rattled toward the city. Man! The broad from Queens had been really somethin'. Like, I wouldn'a' missed it fer anything. I let my thoughts turn to the gold mine of information she'd given us. It would be a gold mine; that is if we could just figure it out.
I thought about the pieces to the puzzle. They still didn't make sense. But at least Holly was convinced that J.B. was some how mixed up in the deal. I glanced at him. Man, he was really way out. I could tell that Tina's information had really blown his mind. But, like me, he couldn't make heads nor tails of the pieces. It seemed that the more we learned, the less we knew. It was maddening.
"Any ideas?" I asked, intruding on his solitude.
"Nope!" he answered, shaking his head slowly. "Gonna' call the rest of the guys in tomorra'. Like to have you there. We can put it all on the table, kick it 'round, see what comes out. Might come up with something. Might not. You in?"
"Yea. I'll be there. What time?"
"Ten, sharp. Where you wann' be dropped?"
"Back at my car will be O.K. Got holda' Wanda. She's a little uptight, but I figure a little pole will fix her up." I grinned. Holly grinned back.
"You're a no good bastard, ya' know that Johnny?" Holly laughed.
I grinned broadly. He was right you know. Wanda had been right too. I had been getting my ashes hauled. I thought about Shirley. At first I felt good. But there was something about her that bothered me somehow. I had a vague, uneasy feeling. Like, something just didn't fit somehow. I shivered, and tried to shake off the feeling. But it just wouldn't go away. I thought about Tina. I was warm.