The Detective

            by Caitlin Morrissey

 

            “Shaunessey, my office, now!” Kenneth Moore barked as he strutted down the crowded hallway. He stormed straight into his office and slammed the door behind him, fuming as he read the headline of the newspaper he had clenched in his hands: “4 Reporters Found Dead- Local killing leaves citizens in shock” He threw the newspaper down onto his cluttered desk and paced the room, cursing under his breath.

            Outside of Moore’s office, Aaron Shaunessey stood timidly, trying to decide when the best moment was to knock on the door. It was only his second month on the job. He had served for five years on the San Francisco police force and had recently been promoted to Detective. His father had been the chief detective before he had died on the job, and Moore had stepped in to replace him. Aaron took a deep breath and knocked quietly on the hardwood door.

            “Chief?”

            “Come in,” Moore snapped, “and shut the door behind you for chirissake.” Aaron carefully opened the door and closed it gently behind him.

“Have a seat,” Moore said, motioning to the small metal chair in front of his desk. “Seen these headlines, Shaunessey?” he asked, shoving the newspaper into Aaron’s face.

“Yes sir,” Aaron replied.

“Bloody scene. It’s not good, not good.”

“Do we have any leads, sir?”

“Course we have leads. There’s always leads, Shaunessey, but most of them are wrong. Fucking wrong,” he cursed.

“So,” Aaron said, trying to steer the conversation. “What can I do for you chief?”

“We need you to look into one of these leads. A woman in Berkeley. Age 39. She’s got a bad track record, and was seen entering the Chronicle building the day of the murders. Might be a connection. I’m sending you over there tomorrow.”

“Chief? Just me?”

“Yes just you, Shaunessey. Jesus Christ when I was your age, in your position, I would’ve jumped at this chance. But you…”

“Please, sir. I’m ready for this, I was just confused.”

“Well, Detectives don’t get confused, so get it straight. Tomorrow, one o’clock. She’ll be at this restaurant. And here’s a picture.” Moore handed Aaron two pieces of paper. One had the name Café Rouge scribbled on it with an address and directions below. The next was the picture of a striking redheaded woman with bright blue eyes, Georgia Radcliffe it read underneath her picture.

“Yes sir, I’m on it,” Aaron said after glancing at the papers.

“Alright Shaunessey. And I want daily reports. Come right to me with everything you see and hear,” Moore said, mentally dismissing Aaron as he looked down at the newspaper.

Aaron walked out of the room smiling to himself as he pocketed the pieces of paper. Maybe this was only because his father was such a great detective. Or maybe it was because the chief felt sorry for him and what happened to his father. But, either way, he was happy, ecstatic even, to be a part of this case.

 

At quarter to one, Aaron got out of his black Camry and stretched his legs. He had left San Francisco at 10 even though Berkeley was only about a twenty-minute drive without traffic. He had wanted to make sure that he didn’t get lost– which he had. The morning fog had burned off and it had turned out to be a bright and beautiful April day.  Slowly he made his way over to the restaurant, pausing to listen to a man playing the guitar. He came up to the red awning and the heavy glass doors with both sported the restaurant’s name.

“Table for one,” Aaron said as he approached the hostess stand.

“Right this way, sir.” He followed the hostess to a table and took a seat so that he could see most of the restaurant.

Aaron studied the menu for a few minutes and then placed his order with a waiter. Ten minutes later, he saw her walk into the room. Aaron noticed her immediately: her red-auburn hair fell below her shoulders in big curls.  Her blue eyes were piercing and lined with black and her cheeks and lips were a perfect shade of pink. He watched her sit down at a table towards the front of the restaurant, still within his eyesight.

After thirty minutes, Aaron did not see one reason why Georgia would be a suspect in this case. She was elegant and proper and looked like she would have no idea how to hold a gun. He was mesmerized by the way she drank, the way she ate and even the way she walked to the bathroom.

However, towards the end of her meal, she got a phone call. After ending the conversation and putting the phone back into her purse, she began shifting in her seat. Aaron saw the change in her right away. Her brows furrowed, and her lips were pursed tight. She clutched her purse firmly in one hand, and signaled to the waiter with the other, who came rushing over. She slipped him something from her purse and he walked away quickly.

Suddenly, Georgia jumped up from her table and walked out of the restaurant. Quickly, Aaron shoved some bills onto the table and followed her outside. He was just in time to catch a glimpse of her getting into a black limosine which drove off immediately. His car was parked two blocks away, but he managed to memorize the license plate of the limo. Upset that he couldn’t follow her further, Aaron sulked back to his car and drove back to work.

 

“So you saw a handoff, and then what? Did she say anything to him?” Moore was pacing his office, raising his voice louder and louder as he interrogated Aaron.

“No. Before she had gotten a phone call, though.  She seemed pretty upset by it. She left the restaurant after that.”

“And? Did you follow her?”

“Um, well sir, you see…” Aaron mumbled.

“Jesus, Shaunessey, you lost her, didn’t you?”

“Yes sir, I did.”

“Damn it! I told you to find out as much as you could. You young people don’t have any sense of urgency. We need to see if she’s involved!”

“Yes sir, I know. I’m very sorry. I did get the license plate, though.”

“Fine. Give that to me. Well, you’re going to have to go back tomorrow. She should be there again. Same time. And Shaunessey,” Moore said.

“Yes Chief?”

“Don’t loose her,” he spat.

“Yes Chief.”

 

Aaron made better time the next day, and situated himself closer to the table Georgia had sat at the day before. He watched her sit down in the same spot, and enjoy her meal. However, at around the same time, she got another phone call. Immediately, her demeanor shifted. Aaron tried to overhear the conversation, but she was whispering softly into the phone. When she put the phone back into her purse, Aaron saw a flash of metal. He blinked and it was gone, but had a strong feeling of what it might be. This time he was quick to follow her when she left the restaurant, and he stayed with her, keeping his distance as she walked in and out of different shops. He followed her into a small alleyway, careful to stay in the shadows. To Aaron’s surprise, Georgia stopped and then slowly turned around to face him.

“Give it up, babe. I know you’ve been following me since I left the restaurant,” she said with a smile. “So, who’s put you up to it?”

“Um… well…”Aaron stuttered.

“You must be a new guy. No detective I know ever stutters,” she laughed. “C’mon babe, let’s go get a drink. I know a bar not far from here.”

Aaron was taken aback by her forwardness. He looked into her beautiful blue eyes, and felt himself being pulled under her spell. “Why not? I got nothing to loose, right?” he replied.

“We’ll see,” she said, and linked her arm through his.

 

“So, I’m guessing that it was some hot shot in the city that put you up to this?” Georgia said as she held up one elegant finger summon the bartender to their seats. “Vodka martini,” she ordered, “and what will it be for you Mr…?”

“Shaunessey. Aaron Shaunessey. I’ll take a bourbon,” he said to the bartender who turned away from them and began making their drinks.

“Like I was saying Mr. Shaunessey, who do you work for?”

“Ms. Radcliffe, may I ask you what is in your purse?”

“Lipstick, my phone and a gun,” she stated bluntly. “I’ve been in the business for long time, babe. And a girl like me needs to protect herself. But it’s been just recently that Feds like you have been following me around. Really, I’m honored.”  She didn’t once lower her gaze from Aaron, but challenged him, as if in a staring contest.

“Well, Ms. Radcliffe…”

“Georgia, please.”

“Georgia. I’ll have you know that the charges against you aren’t pretty. And if you want my advice, I’d say you better lay low for a while,” Aaron bluffed smoothly.

“Oh, babe, you’re young. Smart, but young. If I were you I’d walk away from this case right now. It gets nasty and I don’t think you can handle that.”

“I don’t think you quite know what I’m capable of, Georgia. And I’m not about to walk away, especially now. This won’t be the last you see of me.” Aaron stood up, making the motions to leave.

“Sit down,” Georgia said, tugging playfully at his hand. “I guess this means you and I have a lot more to discuss.”

Aaron looked into Georgia’s blue eyes and again felt a strong pull. But this time, he could sense sadness in her eyes, grief even. It made him feel very protective of her as he sat back down.

“Aaron, I’m warning you that this case really is nasty. Bad news. But I want to give you all the information I have.”

“Why would you do that? Why should I trust anything you say?” Aaron asked.

“Because I’m tired of lies, and I owe it to your father,” she replied.

“You knew my father?” Aaron was shocked.

“Knew of him,” she said. “By reputation only. But he saved a friend of mine from a real bad situation—saved her life really.” Georgia stopped and closed her eyes for a moment.

“So, what do you know about this case?” Aaron finally asked.

“It ain’t pretty, babe. But here’s what: word around town is that your boss, Sargeant Moore, is behind these murders. Something about not needing the past brought back up. I’ve heard this from a few sources, and they’re usually pretty reliable…” she trailed off.

“Jesus,” Aaron said after a long pause. “That’s a pretty strong claim you’re making and I don’t think you can back it up. Frankly, I think you’re full of shit, Radcliffe, if you’ll pardon my French,” Aaron spat, enraged that she would even think to blame the Chief of Detectives, who also happened to be his boss.

Georgia didn’t say anything for a while. She took a few sips of her drink before she began, “Well, it is just from sources. Could be nothing.”

“Yeah, sure. Whatever you say. Look I’d really better go,” Aaron said and quickly stood up from his seat, pushing back the bar stool as he made for the exit.

“Nice meeting you Mr. Shaunessey,” Georgia sighed, watching Aaron leave the dingy bar. When he was outside, she looked back at her drink, took a sip, and closed her eyes for a long time.

 

“So, you didn’t get anything out of her?” Moore said from his seat behind his desk. “Jesus, Shaunessey, I guess I expected more.”

“I’m sorry, sir. She had nothing worthwhile to say, except that she had a gun. I know she’s got some part in it though, sir. And I really think we need to watch out for her. She might get out of hand,” Aaron replied, nervously wiping the sweat from his palms onto his pants. Ever since he left the bar hours earlier, he couldn’t get Georgia’s words out of his head. He was infuriated by everything she said. He couldn’t believe that she would think he would fall for any of her lies.

            The chief was muttering to himself, searching through piles of paper on his desk. “I’ll send out her ID to the other stations. Make sure they keep an eye out for her,” he said finally. “Stay here for a few hours.”

            “Yes, sir.” Aaron left Moore’s office lost in thought. He sat back down at his desk, pondering everything he had heard that day.

 

            “Shaunessey!” It was half past midnight, and Aaron could hear the chief shouting his name. Suddenly Moore busted through his office door and made his way to Aaron’s desk. “Get up Shaunessey. She’s been spotted at the Embarcadero. Still has that gun. You and I are going down there now,” he spat.

            “Sir?”

            “Get going, Shaunessey! I’ll see you outside in five.” Moore strode down the hallway and disappeared behind a corner.

            Aaron fumbled with his coat as he got up from his desk.  He had had a long time to think about everything, and still couldn’t figure out why Georgia would blame his boss. He was still angry, but now a part of him was worried too. He knew that Georgia was dangerous, but he didn’t know if the Chief was really prepared. He knew that he might have to look out for him, so he glanced around to see if there was anyone nearby– the entire office was empty. He went into his lower desk drawer and pulled out a gun he kept hidden and slid it behind his back.

 

            Aaron and the chief sat in total silence as they made their way down to the Embarcadero. Moore sat in the driver’s seat and didn’t seem concerned at all. Aaron casually reached behind his back, patting the bulge in his coat for reassurance.

            When they arrived at the Embarcadero, the lights were dim and the piers were deserted.

            “We’ll wait here,” the chief spoke, breaking the silence. “She should be coming down this way.” He turned the radio on and browsed the channels before he settled on one that was unclear because of the static.

            “Chief, what have you heard about Radcilffe? Do you think she’s the murderer?” Aaron asked, his voice slightly quavering.

            “I think she’s involved. It’s just a hunch, Shaunessey, but sometimes you gotta follow it,” he said. “It usually pays off.” Silence fell once again. The static of the radio station was the only noise coming from the patrol car. After forty minutes, Aaron began to get restless and started shifting in his seat.

            “Chief, I don’t think she’s coming,” Aaron said finally.

            “I don’t either,” he replied. Aaron was taken aback. “Actually, I know that she’s not coming down this pier.”

            “What?” Aaron sputtered.

            “She’s not coming. Never was coming either,” Moore replied.

            “But… you said that… why would you…” Aaron was dumbfounded. His mind raced with reasons why the chief would lie. “Holy shit,” he finally stuttered. “It was you.”

            “What was me, Shaunessy? Spit it out, boy.”

            “You were responsible for these murders! Just like Radcliffe said! How could you? “ Aaron exclaimed.

            Moore was silent for a moment. “It was easy,” he responded eventually. “I needed to make sure a case wasn’t reopened, and these reporters were poking their noses into it.”

            “So you killed them? What the fuck!”

            “Calm down, Shaunessey. You’re only going to get more riled up with this next thing I tell you.”

            “There’s more?” Aaron couldn’t believe his ears. His own chief, his father’s trusted colleague, had killed four people. He was a murderer. Aaron closed his eyes and rubbed his temples, rocking back and forth in his seat. When he finally felt clear-headed enough to speak, his voice cracked as he said, “What case was it, Chief? What case where they looking into?”

            “You’re father’s,” Moore whispered.

            Aaron felt as if the wind had been knocked out of him. “What?” His voice trembled with anger. “Why are you concerned with my father’s case?”

            “You’re father and I worked side by side for many years—we even went through the academy together,” Moore started. “I became a Detective two years before him. I worked damn hard to get there and even harder to move up the ranks.  Ten years later, the chief retires.  And I had worked hard. Damn hard, Every case, I put my everything into it. But you’re father was the golden boy, the charmer. He got Chief. He stole my spot. The spot I had worked my ass off for. And since we were the same age, I knew that unless something happened, I would never serve as Chief. Everything I had worked for, gone. And for what? For his good looks and smooth talking.? I had to do something…”

            “So you killed him? “ Aaron was shouting. His face was red, his veins were bulging. “You fucking killed him?”

            “It was what I had to do.” Moore spoke softly and looked over at Aaron. “And this is what I have to do now.” With one swift movement, he slammed Aaron’s head into the dashboard and pulled the gun sticking out of Aaron’s pants. “Get out of the car, Shaunessey.” Aaron shifted slightly in his seat, dizzy from the impact of the dashboard onto his now pounding head. “Get out of the car, goddammit!” Moore shouted, pointing the gun at Aaron.

            In a daze, Aaron pushed open the car door slowly and stumbled out onto the pavement. Moore got out of the car and walked around to Aaron’s side, still aiming the gun directly at his head.

            “I…I…” Aaron sputtered as he glared up at Moore from under the stream of blood that was trickling down his forehead. “You…bastard,” he snarled.

            Chuckling under his breath, Moore threw the gun into the car and then hit Aaron hard in the stomach. Aaron groaned. Moore took Aaron’s head in his hands and bashed it into the car door. He picked him up and threw him five feet from the car, hearing the loud crack as Aaron’s head hit the pavement. Slowly, he walked over to where Aaron lay.

            Suddenly, Moore heard a huge crashing sound and jumped, started from the loud noise. A car had smashed right into the driver’s side of the patrol car. Moments later the car moved forward and pulled over. Slowly a person emerged from the car, their face covered by the dark night shadows.

            “Is everything alright?” Moore shouted to the person by the car from his place beside Aaron’s body.

            “Yeah,” the person responded and slowly started walking towards the chief. “Are you okay, babe?”

            “Just help me move his body,” Moore responded. Georgia Radcliffe emerged from the shadows and bent down to look at Aaron’s body.

            “You did him good, babe,” she said, pushing a red curl behind her ear.

            “Did what I had to do. Come on.” They picked up Aaron’s body and slowly made their way to the patrol car. They shoved him into the front seat where the airbag had exploded, slumping his body over the wheel. “Stand back,” Moore said and bashed in the front window above Aaron’s lifeless head. “There, it’s done.”

            They both stood back and looked at the car. There was a huge dent in the side, and pieces of broken glass had fallen all around.

            “Let’s go,” Moore said and took Georgia’s hand as they walked over to the other car. Georgia got into the driver’s seat while Moore walked around to the passenger side. She started the car and put it in drive. With one last glance into her review mirror, she kissed Moore and drove off into the night.