Niteblade – March 2009

The woman across from Melanie turned and spewed a stream of obscenities at Bob, who responded by getting up and striding purposefully towards her. The entire place erupted in chaos. Melanie withdrew further into herself and tried to escape notice.

She turned in time to see the heavyset man swinging a three hole punch like a samurai sword, while the desk sergeant backed away in shock. A second policeman rushed over to help, and the matronly woman sitting across from Melanie stood up and swung her purse like a flail right into his face. It took five more policemen several minutes to disarm and pacify the two. By the time they were done, Bob was gone and Walter was heading toward her with a cardboard tray holding two large cups of cappuccino. He paused for a moment, surveyed the room, then looked at Melanie. “What happened?”

“I don’t know. Too much.”

“You causing trouble again?” He handed her one of the cups.

She took a ginger sip and was relieved to find it cool enough to drink. “Very funny.”

She had only downed two mouthfuls of coffee when Jim Barrows, the detective in charge of Jerrod’s case, returned and escorted her back to his corner of the large main room. He was a big, solidly built man, like an older and more haggard version of Jerrod. Melanie was always surprised at how many policeman had that same build. Like they made them in factories somewhere to a standard specification set. Jim wore slacks that were too tight, and a button up shirt with the sleeves rolled up. Melanie saw a tie hanging on the coat rack in a corner of the room. “Miss Cardin, sorry you had to wait. We’ve traced the number from your cell. It’s a payphone.”

Melanie sighed and nodded.

“We are taking it seriously though. One of our own was murdered. We won’t drop anything that might be a lead.” The detective’s face got hard and threatening, “And if this guy was just playing a practical joke, maybe we can find him and let him know how funny we all found it.”

Melanie nodded. Good, they should scare the shit out of that creep.

Jim added, “If you feel at risk, I can assign some patrolmen to watch your apartment tonight.” He paused. “You… uh, will be staying at your own apartment tonight?” He glanced across the room toward Walter meaningfully.

“I’ll be staying at home tonight. Walter is just a friend. He gave me a ride because my car was smashed in that fifteen car wreck last week…” Melanie grew angry that she was explaining herself to this policeman, but couldn’t stop doing it. Jerrod had dumped her. She didn’t owe any of his former friends an explanation about who she spent time with. But she said, “So, he’s just a friend. That’s all,” and hated the ingratiating tone of voice she used.

The detective nodded solemnly at this, as if he’d actually been owed the explanation. “Well, I’ll have a marked patrol car park in a conspicuous place outside your complex.” He handed her a business card. “And feel free to call this number any time. It will ring through to me no matter where I am.”

“Do you think it’s necessary? I mean, do you think this person might be a threat to me?”

The detective shrugged. “No way to know. But better safe than sorry.”

“I think I’ll be fine.”

“All right.” He stood up, signaling an end to their meeting.

Melanie stood up as well and found herself shaking his hand. “Thank you, Officer.”

“Jim. You need anything, call, all right?” Detective Barrows gestured toward the waiting area in an obvious dismissal.

Melanie smiled at him, and then headed back toward Walter, who had begun to fidget. “Well?”

“It was a payphone, but they’re taking it seriously. They are parking cops outside my apartment tonight.”

Wally frowned, “You should stay with me.”

“No. Wally, I just want to go home. I want to take a bath and then sleep in my own bed.” Melanie ran one hand through her hair. “After everything that’s happened today, I feel like I’m covered in a coat of slime.”

Walter smiled, “Hey, slime can be a valid lifestyle choice. Some of my best friends are coated in slime. But to each their own. I’ll drive you.”

~*~

Melanie relaxed in her huge soaking tub, letting the warm water lull her into that sensuous semi-sleep that only seemed to be possible in a bath. When she’d toured the apartment for the first time, she’d been shocked to see such a large tub in such a tiny place. The bath accounted for roughly half of her bathroom floor space. With the remaining space, she could use the toilet and brush her teeth at the sink at the same time. But her building had been built in the 1920’s. That meant tiny rooms, thick fancy moldings, and giant bathtubs. Now that she’d lived in a place with a soaking tub, she didn’t think she could ever go back to life in a modern apartment with a tiny fiberglass bathtub.

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