Ginger snaps, p.14
Ginger Snaps, page 14
I did my level best to stay off the drugs and booze, but sometimes after
a bad night I went back to the drugs just to keep going. After a while,
I became numb to what I was doing and what the men did.”
Again she stopped, looking up at me. Her eyes were dull, like she’d
quit feeling again. I felt like a heel.
“So maybe the rest doesn’t matter, but Novak went out of town for
a few weeks and he put a real jerk in charge. Novak protected his girls
from the real sickos. I know you won’t believe me but Novak really
took good care of us. He was kind. This guy didn’t care what the men
wanted to do as long as they paid. What they made us do was awful and
sick and before long I fell completely off the wagon, forgot my prom-
ises to myself, and didn’t care about anything except the drugs and
vodka. It didn’t take long before my looks suffered, so I was booted
down to the projects where for fifty bucks men simply had their way
night after night. It didn’t matter to me. I just wanted to die.”
This was almost impossible to hear. How could this have happened
to an innocent teenager hoping for a better life? I couldn’t imagine
what it cost her to relive it.
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“In the projects I wasn’t allowed a night off except during my
period. At some point my friend Shannon gave me Micki’s address. I
don’t know how I found my way to her doorstep, but I did. You know
the rest. Twice since I’ve gone out with friends, had way too much to
drink, and ended up back in the projects. each time Micki found me
and brought me back. I owe her my life.”
I asked, “Where was the training center?”
“I don’t know. The casino used to be in the Quapaw Quarter, but
Novak moved them both after Sam got elected and turned up the
heat. Now I hear the casino is somewhere in western little Rock,
maybe Maumelle, where the customers feel safe. Novak knows his
best customers don’t want to go into the projects at night. The new
training center is somewhere near the airport.”
“Debbie, try to think about the old training center. Do you remember
any landmarks? Please try to remember.”
“I remember seeing an old ball field. It was run over with weeds,
looked like it hadn’t been used in a long time, but like I said, Novak
moved it several years ago.” I begged her to describe as much as she
could remember, and she did her best until she couldn’t remember
anymore. She looked miserable, pretty well done in. I wanted to fold
her into my arms.
“Debbie—I’ve got to ask. If Novak’s behind this, will he kill her?”
Her voice was now very matter-of-fact. “oh no, Micki’s too good-
looking for him to waste. He’ll treat her like every other woman he
owns. He’ll fill her full of drugs, brand her, and then offer her to his
customers. Micki will draw a hefty price.”
Clovis interrupted, his voice shocked. I’d almost forgotten he was
there. “Brand her? like a cow? What do you mean?”
Debbie didn’t say a word. She lifted her hair off her neck to reveal
a raised scar:
AN
Clovis closed his eyes, Debbie lowered hers, and my stomach turned.
“A plastic surgeon told me he can remove it, but it will be expen-
sive—Blue Cross won’t cover it. Micki’s offered to pay for it, but I won’t
let her until I’m sure I’ll never go back.”
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Blue Cross wouldn’t pay? I wondered vaguely what sort of insur-
ance plan would cover involuntary human branding.
Debbie brought me out of my fog, her voice rather matter-of-fact.
“If Micki fights back, they’ll tie her up and let some of his sick cli-
ents have their way until she begs for the drugs. They’re animals—
believe me, I know. It’s much better to cooperate, but knowing Micki,
she’ll fight, at least for a while. It will only turn the bastards on . . .
poor Micki.” Her face crumpled, and she began to cry. Moira wrapped
her in her arms, muttering soothing sounds. Her eyes were full of pity
and strength as she motioned me away.
Clovis and I stepped back into the hall, and I felt both relieved and
guilty. I took a breath and let it out quickly. The very air felt lighter.
“Clovis, we’ve got to go—now. Tell Paul to come with us and get
Sam on the phone. Will Debbie be safe with Moira?”
“Safe as houses—don’t worry about her.” He said a few words to
Moira, grabbed Paul, and punched in Sam’s number, handing me the
phone as we got into the Tahoe.
“Sam, I don’t have time to chit-chat. Do you remember a big dark
green house around the block from Butler Field?”
“Sure, it’s on Winkler—Mr. Kavanaugh’s old home, remember?
What’s up? Where are you?” Sam asked.
“I’m headed there now. look, I can’t explain, just meet me there in
fifteen minutes. No sirens. It’s just a hunch, but I think the Kavanaugh
house was Novak’s old training center. It’s worth a shot.”
“Wait till I get there, Jack. Don’t do anything stupid.” Sam warned,
but I’d already clicked off.
“Clovis, Winkler Street across from Butler Field. let’s get moving.”
Clovis said, “It would help if I knew what you think we’re up against.
A whole gang of men or some isolated nut?”
“If I’m right, we’ll probably have to deal with a couple of guys. But
then again, it could be a dozen, or we might find just a nice family
with three kids who bought the house without a clue.”
Paul asked, “Why do you think it won’t be a big group of Novak’s
thugs?”
“If Novak had come back to the neighborhood, with people and
cars going in and out, someone would have called the police by now.
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No, I’m betting there’ll just be one or two men and Micki. The cur-
tains will be drawn, no lights to raise suspicions. I sure hope I’m right
about this, and God, I hope she’s still alive.”
We pulled up, followed immediately by Sam and two squad cars. I
recognized the house—it had once been a stately victorian with a mani-
cured front lawn. Now the paint was peeling, sagging draperies shaded
the windows, and there sure weren’t any kids playing on the lawn.
We all stepped out of our cars, the uniforms holding guns at the
ready, watching to see if anyone appeared. Sam spoke quietly.
“My office checked. Novak owns the house. looks empty. What do
you have in mind?”
“Thought I’d ring the doorbell, see if anyone’s home.” I didn’t
smile.
“We can’t go in without a warrant, you know that,” Sam cautioned.
“But I guess it’s okay to ring.”
He waved the cops around back, but Clovis and Paul stayed with us,
weapons drawn. I walked slowly toward the door, Sam right behind
me. No doorbell. I knocked and listened for footsteps. Hearing none,
I did what I’d seen a thousand times in the movies. I kicked the door
right below the handle as hard as I could. It budged, but it didn’t give
way. My leg felt like it had kicked a tree. I was about to try again when
Clovis shoved me out of the way and gave the door a huge sideways
kick. The lock shattered, and we rushed in.
Sam’s face reminded me of Billy’s in Beverly Hills Cop, but like Billy,
he followed me in. Clovis and Paul fanned out into the main rooms,
but I trotted up to the second floor where Debbie said the women had
been kept. We found a single, long hall with doors on both sides like
in a hotel. Sam and I opened each door in turn. None were locked;
all were empty except for a bed, a nightstand, and a lamp. We reached
the end of the hall. No Micki.
“You know, you’re in big trouble for breaking and entering. I’ll
catch hell as well,” Sam said quietly.
“No, you won’t. I’ll swear you told me not to do it, not to come in. I
rushed in, and you followed in hot pursuit.” I didn’t smile. Jeez, what
did it matter? “Sam, she’s here. I feel it. You do, too.”
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He nodded and pointed to the closet in this last bedroom. We
rushed to the door, opened it, and Micki slumped out, pale as a
corpse. I was terrified. Sam reached his hand to her neck.
“There’s a faint pulse. I’ll call an ambulance.”
I yelled for Clovis, and he and Paul came running. They picked
up her naked body gently and placed her on the bed. I ran to the
adjoining room, grabbed a blanket off the bed, and covered her up.
She was unconscious, barely breathing. I was afraid to touch her. We
waited for what seemed to be an eternity for the medics to arrive.
Sam begged us not to disturb anything. He ordered the policemen
to search the house, but it was empty. Inside the closet were ropes
that had been used to tie her up, syringes, and residue of what Clovis
told me was top-grade heroin. Worse yet, we found a blowtorch and a
branding iron under the ropes. When I covered her up, I noticed the
angry burn at the edge of her collarbone—N.
Her wrists and ankles had been rubbed raw by the rope. Bruises
covered her arms, legs, and body. only her face remained untouched.
Debbie had told me they wouldn’t touch her face.
The medics arrived, as well as at least a dozen squad cars and a fire
truck. Neighbors poured out of their homes. Clovis insisted that Paul
should ride with her to the hospital, partly to protect Micki, and partly
to be there for eric.
I heard Clovis. “Jack, Sam needs you.”
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I spotted Sam huddling with several uniformed officers. He waved
me over, and the officers quickly dispersed.
“You gonna cuff me?” I tried, but couldn’t manage a smile.
“No. I should chew your ass out, but I was right behind you, so I
guess we’re both guilty. Besides, what judge wouldn’t let you off? You
saved her life. How’d you figure out where she was?”
“Sam, I’m exhausted. I’m going to the hospital. If Micki’s okay, I need
to crash for a while. Can I tell you tonight over steak and a cold beer? ”
“I’ll take you up on the beer, but I can’t let you see or talk to Micki.”
“Why the hell not?” I shouted. Several police officers turned in our
direction, but relaxed when Sam put his arm around my shoulder.
“Walk with me to your car and keep a lid on that temper of yours.
In the first place, Micki’s in no shape to talk to anybody. More to the
point, when she is able to talk, law enforcement needs to be there first.
I can’t risk some hotshot lawyer saying you put words in her mouth
before the police got her statement. I have to keep you two apart. This
may be our best shot at Novak; I can’t afford to fuck it up.”
“I have no intention of fucking anything up, but what about Micki?
This is one human being caring for another. If it were me in the hos-
pital, you’d be there. Hell, if I remember right, you were–both times.”
“She knows you care. Any idiot knows that. I’ll make sure she knows
why you’re not there. She’s been after Novak for years, for God’s
sake—she knows what’s at stake. You’ll see her soon enough, but stay
away for now. I’m going to have a hard enough time keeping the lover
boy away.”
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“I’ll behave, but you’ve got to promise to hurry the hell up. I don’t
want her alone. Clovis will work with you to make sure she’s protected,
okay?”
“okay.” He sighed, his relief obvious.
We had reached Clovis’s Tahoe. “eight o’clock at The Faded Rose.
I’ll tell you how I figured it out. It wasn’t Novak.”
“Wha . . . ?” Sam’s mouth was open.
“Thought that would pique your curiosity. Novak didn’t do it. I’ll
explain tonight.”
I hopped into the car.
Clovis asked, “I heard you tell Sam that Novak’s not responsible.
How do you know that?”
“I’ll tell you both at dinner tonight. let’s go check on Maggie and
Debbie. Sam won’t let me see Micki.”
The adrenaline was still flowing as we drove to Micki’s office.
“Here’s what I need right now: first, send Moira to Memphis to
check on liz. Second, call Marshal Maroney and schedule a meeting
with him tomorrow. I want him to know how much danger Doug is in.
Has the press descended on Micki’s office yet?”
“I took a minute to call Mongo—he said a satellite truck just pulled
up. He knows not to open the door or talk to anyone. Paul’s at the hos-
pital. The police have guards everywhere. He’s already talked to eric,
who’s about as happy as you are about Sam’s orders to stay away. He
wanted to supervise her care, but the hospital administrator stepped
in at Sam’s request.” Clovis seemed almost out of breath.
“For the moment the police will watch Micki, but I don’t trust them
completely. I want Paul and his men at the hospital full-time.”
The skinny guy had been sitting quietly in his car just down Winkler
as Clovis pulled away. He’d watched the whole thing. They’d had just
enough time to get out. The bastard Patterson was supposed to be out
of town. Still, lawrence was out of commission and wouldn’t be able
to identify a soul. Patterson’s finding her had spoiled a little special
fun his guys were going to have with the long-legged beauty. “Damn,”
he muttered to himself. At least, Patterson would pay for being so
fucking smart—he was a dead man.
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The press had set up a bank of microphones on the sidewalk leading
up to Micki’s front porch. A satellite truck was parked in the driveway
so we couldn’t drive to the back and park. I noticed Mongo had
turned the lights out except for the porch light and a few in the back
of the house. Smart guy.
“It’s okay, Clovis. This one should be easy. Just be ready to clear a
path.” We got out of the car, and I shoved my way through the reporters.
“Prosecuting Attorney Sam Pagano has ordered me not to talk
about what happened this afternoon because of his ongoing investi-
gation. Sorry.” I turned around, walked up Micki’s porch steps, and
through the front door, Clovis right behind me. The press was caught
flat-footed. I don’t get that lucky very often.
Maggie jumped up from Micki’s desk and threw her arms around
me with a sigh of relief.
“Are you all right? How’s Micki?”
“I’m all right. Micki’s another story. She was unconscious when the
medics took over, and Sam won’t let me near her. He’s afraid I’ll com-
promise his case, but I’m going to change his mind tonight. We’ve
got a lot to do over the next few days. I thought Doug’s case would go
on for months, but we need to speed things up. Time is running out
unless we change this game’s momentum. Micki’s alive, thank God,
but . . ."
I was about to crash, but I had to do one more thing.
“Mongo, how’s Debbie?” He was standing near the door to the
bedroom.
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“She’s been in and out, but she’s awake. It helps that you found
Micki.”
Debbie looked a lot better than when I’d left her. She was sitting
up in bed watching The Cooking Channel, face cleaned up and hair
combed: the resilience of youth.
“May I come in?”
“Yeah, sure. Paul told me you found Micki. I can’t tell you how
relieved I am.” I was ready to be impressed by her newfound gravity,
when she added, “In fact, this bed is giving me ideas. I’m ready for . .
." I frowned and turned to leave, but she’d seen my face flush.
“You’re blushing!” She squealed and smiled like a coquette. “I’m
teasing. I used to be a prostitute, remember? I talk about sex like you
do about the law.” I wondered how much it cost Debbie to keep up
her brazen front.
