JACKS ARE WILD Page 17

  “She is correct.” Kiku leaned forward. “What fisherman wants to be interrupted?”

  Jack frowned as he pulled out.

  “It would be nice if he was a detective first and a fisherman second.”

  “Skylar Boyce lives at 18 Winston.” Replacement picked up her smartphone.

  “I know where it is.” Jack took the first right, also checking the rearview mirror.

  “We are not being followed.” Kiku sat back in the seat and folded her arms.

  They rode in silence for a moment before Replacement turned around to look at Kiku. “Is that where you learned these things? In the Yakuza?”

  Kiku nodded.

  “Were you born in Japan?”

  “No. I am half Korean. I was born in Korea but raised in an orphanage.”

  “Did you move to Japan when you were adopted?”

  Kiku exhaled and then looked down at her hands. “In a manner of speaking, but that would be the sterilized version. A truer telling would be the couple who ran the orphanage was beaten nearly to death because they couldn’t pay the bribes necessary to stay open. They were driven out of the country. As a result, I was sold and shipped to Japan for delivery like cattle.”

  Jack had angled the rearview mirror so he could look at Kiku, but she didn’t flinch as she retold her story. If anything, her eyes became brighter and wider. He turned back to driving. Jack knew well the emotions behind the look. He didn’t run from pain and neither did she. They both ran forward and embraced it.

  “Sold?” Replacement’s voice was a mixture of puzzlement and anger.

  Kiku nodded.

  The Impala’s engine whined as Jack over-accelerated. He slowed down and took a left.

  “I did not make it to my destination, fortunately. I was meant to be a prostitute, but instead I was selected to be…a courier.”

  Replacement shook her head. “A courier?”

  “I was selected to work imports and exports.”

  Replacement looked at Jack.

  “They used her as a mule.” Jack’s voice was low. “They like to use women and kids to smuggle things.”

  “I prefer ‘courier,’” Kiku continued. “My demeanor was a good fit for transporting items through customs. There was a need, and I was capable. I excelled and was rewarded.”

  “What’s that pay?” Replacement now knelt on the seat, completely turned around.

  “Not enough, kid. Turn around.” Jack shot Replacement a look.

  “I’m just curious.” She rolled her eyes.

  Jack tapped the brakes; Replacement grabbed the headrest as she slid forward.

  “Hello.” She glared at Jack.

  “We’re almost there. Sit down.”

  Kiku crossed her legs as she sat back. “We can discuss this at another time, Alice.”

  “No, she can’t.” Jack shook his head as he pulled onto Winston.

  “I’m not talking about joining the Yakuza. I just had some questions,” Replacement snapped.

  “You have to stop treating her as a child,” Kiku added.

  “How about you both walk home?” Jack pulled over in front of the split-level duplex and parked. The small yellow house had been split into two units, and the taste of the renters was evident in the upkeep of the home. On the right side of the house, the grass was mowed and the walkway was swept. The left side had long grass and a harvest wreath still on the door. Both driveways were empty.

  “Did the address say the A side or the B?” Jack asked Replacement.

  “Neither. It just said 18.”

  Kiku pointed at a bright red convertible that had slowed down and was pulling in on the left. “Now we can ask.”

  “Wow.” Replacement whistled at the car as it stopped. “That car sure doesn’t go with this house.”

  A woman in her mid-thirties, with shoulder-length brown hair, got out of the car and glared in their direction. Her tan skirt was short and too tight for her, and her high-heeled boots went up past her knees. She had a cropped jacket that did little to flatter her wide waist. She carried a brown bag of groceries in one hand and a bag of dog food in the other.

  “Someone’s compensating.” Replacement’s sarcastic grin vanished when she looked at Jack’s confused face. “What? That’s what you said about Arber and his boat, right?” Her eyebrow went up.

  Kiku chuckled, leaned forward, and whispered something in Replacement’s ear.

  Replacement turned bright red.

  Jack cleared his throat as he opened the door. “Stay in the car.”

  They all got out.

  Jack waved at the woman as she headed for the house. She didn’t wave back.

  “Good morning. I’m sorry to bother you, but I’m looking for Skylar Boyce.”

  The woman’s shoulders slumped as she continued to walk toward the house.

  “At least let me put this crap down,” she snapped as she dropped the dog food bag on the front brick steps and set the grocery bag next to it. “What did that little tramp do now?” She turned around.

  “She hasn’t done anything wrong. We just need to ask her a few questions.” Jack stopped, giving her plenty of space.

  As the woman looked Jack up and down, her eyes widened slightly before a smile spread across her face.

  “I’m sorry.” Her voice softened. “I’m Tina. Pleased to meet you.” She daintily held out a gloved hand to Jack.

  Jack flashed a smile. “Jack Stratton. It’s nice to meet you, too.”

  Kiku started to raise her hand and open her mouth, but Tina stepped in front of her and closer to Jack.

  “Someone like you…” Tina looked him over and made a face. “You’re not with youth services, are you?” she asked, as she stood uncomfortably close.

  “Actually,” Kiku smiled, “we just need to do a routine check on Skylar. Is she here?”

  Tina didn’t take her eyes off Jack. “No. She moved in with a friend. Now it’s just me.”

  “She moved?” Replacement asked.

  Tina exhaled. “Not legally. This is still her house, and I can still declare her. She’ll be back. You know how teenage girls are. I can’t do anything right, and the little wench can’t be wrong. She’ll come back around. It’s no big deal. Who called you?”

  “We can’t say.” Replacement pressed her lips together.

  “I already know who.” Tina turned to face Replacement. “It was that busybody, Carol Bartlet. She’s sticking her fat nose in because we went to high school together, and she doesn’t like me.”

  “We just need to speak to Skylar and ask her a couple of questions about a report that was filed,” Jack said.

  “A report? What report?” Tina rapidly looked to each one individually. “Are you with youth services?”

  Jack saw the color go out of Tina’s cheeks. He started to open his mouth, but Kiku interrupted.

  “Yes, miss, we are. If you could just give us Skylar’s address, we’ll be on our way.”

  Jack noticed Tina rubbing her hands on her skirt. “Well, she’s staying at Carol’s. Just temporarily.” She quickly added, “It’s only a couple of streets over. Juniper. 57 Juniper.”

  “Thank you.” Jack nodded.

  “This doesn’t have anything to do with…? It’s just a request with youth services, right?”

  Jack cleared his throat. “Actually, Miss Boyce…”

  She shook her head and let out a fake chuckle. “I thought I cleared that report up. It wasn’t Skylar; it was me it was about. I had a little too much to drink, and I got in a fight with my boyfriend.” She flashed a forced smile and raised her hands in front of her. “It’s all set now. It was nothing, really.”

  Jack shot a look back at her car. “Your boyfriend? Arber?” Jack nodded, but Tina started to shake her head.

  “Yep. But we’re not together anymore.” She quickly added, “I need to go.” Tina turned to pick up the dog food and bag.

  “Miss Boyce—” Jack started to say, but she cut him off.

&nb
sp; “I’m sorry. I have to go. You can go talk to Skylar. She’s not my problem anymore.” She whipped open the door and disappeared inside. The door slammed shut with a loud bang.

  Jack exhaled as he shot a look at Replacement and Kiku before he strode back to the car.

  “What was that look for?” Replacement grumbled as they all got in the car and Jack pulled out.

  “I told you both to stay in the car.”

  “She should have.” Replacement pointed at Kiku.

  “I’m not a dog,” Kiku snapped.

  “Kiku? Is that a bird?” Replacement got in.

  Kiku’s lips pressed together. “It means chrysanthemum. And with a name like Replacement, you are in no position to make jokes.”

  “I didn’t say I didn’t like it. I do,” Replacement shot back.

  Jack held up a hand. “I didn’t mean any disrespect when I asked you to stay in the car. You two need to think. How is a woman going to react if three people get out of a car and walk up to her house?”

  “You’re right, Officer.” Kiku crossed her arms. “You should have stayed in the car.”

  “Ha,” Replacement added.

  “Ha, yourself.” Jack opened his window an inch. “I’m the best person to talk to her.”

  “Are you?” Kiku raised an eyebrow. “You said yourself she’d be intimidated.”

  “By three people coming to her door.”

  “One big guy is better than two little girls?” Replacement scrunched up her face.

  “Look. I shouldn’t have to explain it, but…” He shot a look at Replacement. “Kiku is just as scary as me.”

  “Excuse me?” Kiku growled.

  “Jack.”

  “No offense, but you give off a vibe.”

  “A vibe?” Kiku looked poised to leap into the front seat.

  “Look.” Jack swung the rearview mirror around so she could see herself. “You’re scary.”

  Kiku’s eyes smoldered and her canines flashed even while she tried to force a polite smile. “You just got me upset. Normally people think I’m harmless.”

  Replacement scoffed.

  “They do.” Kiku’s wolf face was back, and her hand snapped out to grab the headrest.

  Replacement swallowed. “Real harmless. Like a puppy with a shotgun.”

  Jack turned onto a side street. “You want the person slightly intimidated. Slightly, but not freaked out. That’s why I bring Replacement when I need to talk to a girl. It takes the edge off.”

  “See?” Kiku smiled at Replacement as she sat back in her seat. “You’re an accessory.”

  Replacement spun around to glare at Jack.

  “No…” Jack stuttered, “you’re a tool.”

  “Oh, that’s so much better,” Replacement spat.

  “I’m just trying to get the job done. You’re helping me…” Jack held up a hand as he took a right.

  Just shut up, Jack.

  They rode in silence until Jack pulled into the driveway at 57 Juniper. It was a medium-sized garrison style house with a big backyard. Two older cars were parked in the driveway.

  Jack closed his eyes as he exhaled.

  “I’m staying in the car.” Replacement clicked her tongue.

  “Me, too.” Kiku looked straight ahead.

  “Fine.” Jack shut off the engine.

  Before he got out, a tall, thin woman in jeans and a baggy sweatshirt opened the door of the house to look out. She leaned back and forth, trying to get a better view of the car’s occupants before she walked over.

  “Great,” Jack muttered. “Roll down your window.” He pointed to Replacement and she complied.

  Let her see all of us in the car and then get out. Slightly better than three people hopping out.

  Jack leaned over as the woman approached and he gave her a big smile along with a little wave.

  “Carol Bartlet?”

  The woman had waist-length, slightly graying dirty-blond hair. She stopped a few feet away from the car and leaned over to look in. She was a homely woman, but her smile was big and genuine.

  “Can I help you?” Carol asked.

  “Yes. I have a couple questions concerning Skylar Boyce. Do you mind if we get out of the car?” Jack asked. Carol frowned but nodded her head.

  All three got out; Jack walked around to shake her hand. “I’m Jack Stratton, and I’ll only need a minute.”

  Carol held her left arm with her right and nodded quickly.

  “Would it be possible for me to speak with Skylar?”

  “Can I ask what this is regarding?” She leaned away from him a little.

  “It’s regarding a police report that was filed.”

  “Are you a policeman?”

  Jack inhaled. He could see both Kiku and Replacement preparing to answer. “No. I’m a private investigator. I’m looking into Arber de Lorme.”

  Carol’s lips pressed together and her face hardened. “The police couldn’t do anything about it. The complaint was dropped.”

  “That’s why I want to speak with Skylar. I need to understand why she dropped it.” Carol’s eyes searched Jack’s face for a moment as he continued. “A friend of mine is missing, and I need to know if Arber has anything to do with it.”

  Carol deflated. Her shoulders slumped, and she looked from face to face. “I’m so sorry. Certainly. How can I help?”

  “It would be best if I could speak to Skylar.”

  Carol nodded as she took a step toward the house. “She’s at my sister’s with my daughter for school break. I’ll write down the number.”

  Jack reached for his notepad, and Replacement handed Carol her phone. “Could you type it in the notepad app, please?” Replacement asked.

  “My sister’s name is Janice. I’ll call her and let her know you’re going to call, but…” Carol looked up at the sky. “I don’t know if Skylar will say anything.”

  “Do you know why Skylar dropped the report?”

  Carol nodded and then shook her head.

  “Carol. I wouldn’t ask if I wasn’t looking for my friend. I know Arber had a past in France—”

  “You found out about that?” Carol’s eyes locked on his. “I looked him up when Skylar came here, but…”

  Let her go. Don’t try to convince her. Let her decide on her own. She took Skylar in. She cares about her. She wants to help.

  She squeezed her arm and as she continued. “Skylar refused to file the report. She changed her story and insisted to the police it wasn’t her.”

  Jack softened his voice. “Her mother, Tina, said she was dating Arber and got mad at him when she was drunk. Tina said she made it all up.”

  “Tina made that all up. Tina lied. Skylar told my daughter what really happened, and my daughter told me.” Her chin lowered and her mouth pulled down on one side. “I went to the police, but with Tina ‘confessing’ and Skylar refusing to say anything, what could they do?”

  “What did your daughter say happened?”

  Carol tossed her head back and she tightly crossed both arms. “Skylar was only seventeen, but that man preyed on her. Arber was dating Tina but I think he was really after Skylar.”

  “Why didn’t her mother do anything?” Replacement asked.

  “Skylar asked if I’d go with her to talk to her mother, and I did. I knew Tina in high school, but I never imagined she’d turn out like that. At first Tina said she was going to—” she inhaled, “nail him to the wall, but after she called the police…Tina got a phone call from Arber. He said Skylar had a crush on him and made the whole thing up.”

  “Tina bought that?” Replacement looked disgusted.

  “No.” Carol shook her head. “Arber bought her. To clear up the ‘misunderstanding,’ he gave her a vacation, money, and did you see that car? The red convertible in the driveway?”

  Replacement looked at the car in disgust.

  “For some people it’s thirty pieces of silver. For Tina…she sold her daughter for that car. I hate that damn car.” Carol l
ooked down. “Excuse my language, but it just kills me. Skylar is the nicest girl, and she has to live with not only what happened to her but…she knows. She knows Arber gave her mother that car and why. Now she’s reminded of it every time she sees her mother driving around town.”

  “I’m sorry.” Jack placed a hand on her shoulder.

  Carol patted his hand. “If I can do anything to help…”

  “You already have.” Jack lightly squeezed her shoulder. “Thank you for your time.”

  She stood in the driveway and watched Jack back out.

  “What a world.” Replacement put her feet up on the dashboard.

  Kiku ran her finger along the window. “I will go take a closer look at Arber tonight.”

  “Not you.” Jack slipped the car into drive and headed for downtown.

  “What?” they replied as one.

  “I’ll call Joe Davenport and make sure he pays Arber a visit. That will keep Arber in line until I can deal with him.”

  “But what if he had something to do with Marisa?” Replacement protested.

  “He didn’t. He’s a serial rapist. Marisa doesn’t fit his MO.” Jack gripped the steering wheel. “He goes after young girls. The girl in France, and now Skylar. He probably goes with woman his age as a cover. Like that lady he had over.”

  “Lady?” Replacement spat.

  “I’m going to deal with Arber after we find Marisa. Meanwhile, Joe will shake him up enough he won’t try anything.” Jack sped up.

  “I do not like the justice system in this country, Officer.” Kiku stared out the window. “It is slow.”

  Replacement looked at Jack. He kept driving.

  “We’ll hit the tattoo parlor and talk to Shawn. It’s fishing, but it’s better than waiting around.”

  “Why consider him? Just because he asked Marisa about buying the tattoo parlor?” Replacement asked.

  “I said it’s thin, so we don’t need to lean on him hard.” He glanced back at Kiku, and she grinned. “I just want to see his reaction, and see if anyone has heard anything.”

  “I think I am better prepared to ask him questions.” Kiku leaned forward. “Do you mind? How do you Americans say it—giving me a turn at bat?”

  “What’s your angle?” Jack asked.

  “You have spoken with him a few times with no results. I have many methods of enticement. Give me fifteen minutes?”