Runway
Chapter 35
by Arecee

The week past quickly and Brenda found herself at Sunday dinner. She had come to like this ritual, as it seemed to clear her head of the deceit she was involved in. It felt refreshing to forget the seamy side of the investigation, if even for just a few hours. She liked being Aunt Brenda to the children while she became more of a part of Mario’s family. She was building close relationships with family members other than Mario. If she was asked to investigate Mario, she wasn’t sure if she could, at least not objectively.

Tuesday evening came and Tiffany was able to keep her calendar clear for the meeting.

“Let’s catch a cab, it’s getting late and we don’t want to keep Bill waiting,” Brenda said.

“Let me get my purse. What’s this Bill like anyway? I’ve never even talked to him?” Tiffany asked.

“He’s pretty nice, but not my kind of guy. He’s gone through some changes since I met him, mostly for the best,” Brenda said.

“What do you mean by that?”

“He was a full blown alcoholic the first time I met him, he got drunk, and he was disgusting. After that he met some woman and he stopped drinking altogether and now he might take a drink, but keeps it under control,” Brenda said.

“Is he nice to you?”

“Of course he is. Why wouldn’t he be?” Brenda asked.

“Because you‘re cute and have a body to die for. He does leave you alone, doesn’t he?”

“God Tiffany, Bill’s a nice man, you’ll see. Hurry up, let’s go.”

The girls arrived at the restaurant and Bill hadn’t arrived so they sat at the bar to wait.

“Brenda, how’s my favorite girl?” asked Danny.

“I’m fine Danny, and this beautiful girl you can’t keep your eyes off is Tiffany Rollins,” Brenda said, with a touch of jealousy in her voice.

“I’m very pleased to meet you Tiffany. Can I get you girls something to drink?” Danny asked.

“Two lemon drops please, Danny,” said Brenda.

“Don’t I know you from somewhere, Tiffany?” Danny asked.

“Probably from one of the ads I’m in,” Tiffany said.

“Hey, now I know, you’re the Sunstar chick,” Danny exclaimed.

“I never thought of myself as a chick, but yes, that’s me,” she replied.

“Wow, you were so hot in those ads, I can’t believe you’re in my humble establishment,” Danny babbled.

Brenda watched Danny trying to make an impression on Tiffany. Even though there was nothing between Danny and her, she felt jealous of her friend. Danny had been her first sexual experience with a man, and maybe she did have some feelings for the flirt.

“Danny, are you going to make our drinks?” Brenda asked.

“Oh yeh, I’m sorry Brenda, I don’t get celebrities in here very often. I’ll be right back,” he said.

“God Tiffany, I thought Danny’s eyes would pop out looking at you,” Brenda giggled to her friend.

“I get that all the time, so I’m used to it. Do you know him?” Tiffany asked.

“He drove me home after dinner one night, he’s pretty nice, and he is cute.” Brenda said.

“I didn’t notice, he’s just another guy to me.”

“Come on Tiffany, you didn’t notice how good looking he is?”

“Okay, I did. What’s Bill look like?”

“Oh girl, God he makes me want to jump his bones every time I see him, but if you like him I’ll give him up, this time, just for you,” Brenda teased.

“Is he really good looking?” Tiffany asked, in her innocence.

“You’ll fall in love,” Brenda said.

Bill walked through the door into the restaurant and saw Brenda and Tiffany.

“Here he is Tiffany, he’s all yours.”

“You bitch,” Tiffany laughed and hit Brenda’s arm.

“Good evening Brenda. I assume you’re Tiffany, I’m Bill Cline,” he said.

“Hi Bill. Tiffany and I were just getting a drink. Would you like one?” Brenda asked.

“Are you buying?” he asked.

“Of course, don’t girls always buy men drinks?” she responded.

“Good, I’ll have a Manhattan over with no cherry,” he said.

Danny brought the girls their drinks and Brenda ordered Bill’s drink.

“Danny, Bill would like a Manhattan over with no cherry. We’re going to move to a table so could you bring it over there for us, please?” she asked, with her most flirtatious smile.

“I’d be happy to. Are you staying for dinner?”

“Tiffany and I are. Bill would you like dinner too?”

“No, I’ll just have a drink. I want to get this over with as soon as possible,” he said.

“God Bill, you’d think we were lepers or something,” Brenda laughed.

“Sorry Brenda, but I have something’s to do,” Bill replied.

The threesome found and empty table and sat down. Danny brought the drink and some menus for them to look at.

“Brenda, Tiffany, we’re going to have to get more aggressive with our investigation because so far it hasn’t gone very well. All we know is who isn’t supplying drugs to Melissa and still don’t have clue as to who is. Do you have any thoughts?” Bill asked.

“I ask around, but most of the girls don’t like to admit that they’re using them,” Tiffany said.

“I’ve done my part, God I even had to sample it once,” Brenda said.

“I know you two have been trying to find information, but we have to try harder. There is only one more person on our list and that’s Mario the UPS guy. Maybe we should concentrate on him, he seems to be the logical choice,” Bill said.

Brenda felt her stomach turn as she digested Bill’s words.

“Bill, I don’t think he’s the one, he just doesn’t fit the profile,” Tiffany said.

“Who else could it be? The drugs keep showing up for Melissa to distribute? We have traced them back to different distributors and he would have access throughout the city. After all, who would notice a UPS truck in their neighborhood, one truck looks like the next,” Bill said.

“I know it’s not Mario, he wouldn’t do something like that,” Brenda said.

Brenda’s greatest fears were coming true. She had become involved with a suspect and had fallen in love. There would be no way for her to investigate the man. Maybe she should excuse herself from the investigation and let Bill replace her with someone that didn’t have connections to the case.

“I really think we should concentrate on him, he’s the logical choice as far as I’m concerned. What with the Colombia connection and all, I’ll bet he’s our man,” Bill stated.

“Bill, I think we should go in a different direction. I don’t think Mario’s our man, it’s just a feeling I get,” Tiffany said.

Brenda looked at her friend. Tiffany winked at her and smiled. Brenda wanted to hug her friend in the worse way, but thought twice. Bill wouldn’t understand.

“Okay, let’s try to be logical about this, what do we know so far?” Bill asked.

“We know Melissa is using the drugs to guide her models into prostitution after they’ve passed their usefulness as models. Connie has said so and I have first hand experience,” Brenda said.

“We know that, but what we don’t know is where she gets the stuff,” Bill said.

“When you test it where do you get the other drug samples?” Tiffany asked.

“It’s sent to us by police departments from all over the United States for our lab to test. The results are used when they go to trial. That way they can tie the drug to the person that’s been arrested.”

“How much do they send you?”

“Just a small sample.”

“What do they do with the rest of it?”

“They incinerate it. The drug is kept under lock and key at each facility and only a very few people have access to it. It‘s kept until the trial and after that it’s destroyed.”

“Let me get this straight, the drugs we had tested were matched to quantities you tested from the New York police department which they obtained during an arrest? The first batch was from an old case and the second was from one, a year newer, is that right?” Brenda asked.

“Yes that’s right, but that doesn’t explain the last batch, we have no sample of that one.”

“Maybe you haven’t tested it yet, how many samples do you get and how long does it take to test it?” Brenda asked.

“We get hundreds and we’re really overloaded right now so a sample might not be tested for three or four months, what are you driving at?” Bill asked.

“What if it’s the police that are giving Melissa the drugs? That would explain why the formula changes from time to time. When they incinerate the drug they just get hers from another batch. It all makes perfect sense,” Brenda said.

“Do you know how difficult something like that would be to prove?” asked Bill.

“It’s a theory worth pursuing, it makes more sense than Mario does,” Brenda said.

“Okay, let’s assume you are right. How do we find the answer we’re looking for?” asked Bill.

“We do what we have been doing. Melissa is starting to trust me and I think if Tiffany can get close to her, we might find out who the dirty cop is,” Brenda said.

“Can you think of anyone?” Bill asked.

“She is dating that one cop that we know about, but I don’t think it’s him. He has too much to lose,” Brenda said.

“Who’s that?” Bill asked.

“He’s the commander of the drug task force and it’s common knowledge that Melissa is sleeping with him and uses him for information. He’s married and has kids, so I doubt he would be the source. Let’s look at the people who have access to the drugs, you know the guards or maybe even an attorney that goes in and out. Get the sign-in sheet and we’ll look at names. It’s worth a try.” Brenda said.

“Okay, that’s a theory worth pursuing, but if it doesn’t work out, we’ll have to concentrate on that Mario guy. Girls I have to run, I have a hot date with my mom again,” Bill said.

“Good night Bill. It was nice to meet you,” Tiffany said.

“It was nice meeting you too Tiffany, and your pictures don’t do you justice. You’re much prettier in person,” Bill said.

“Thank you Bill.”

“Goodnight Brenda, I’ll be in touch.”

“Goodnight Bill, have a nice dinner,” Brenda said.

Bill left the girls and they opened the menus.

“What’s good?” Tiffany asked.

“Everything, let’s see if Danny will do something special for us,” Brenda said.

“Do you think he will?” Tiffany asked.

“Of course he will, if I ask him nicely,” Brenda said.

Brenda called to Danny. She wanted to ask him something.

“Danny, Tiffany was wondering what to order and I thought maybe you could do something special, for old time sake?’ Brenda flirted.

“Brenda, you know I would do anything for you. I’ll have the chef make something special,” Danny said. “You know I’ll want to take you out if I do?”

“Danny you’re such a flirt, of course I’ll go out with you,” Brenda said.

“What about you Tiffany? Would you like to come too?” Danny asked.

“No, that’s alright. I’ll let Brenda take care of you,” Tiffany said.

“Could you at least sign some pictures so I can hang them on the wall?”

“I guess that would be okay. Do you have a camera?”

“A digital and a printer in the office, I’ll be right back.”

Danny returned with his camera.

“Don’t move girls, smile,” he said and took a picture of Tiffany and Brenda at their table.

“Could I take one with you standing and one with me?” asked Danny.

“Sure, whatever you would like,” Tiffany said.

“Stand by the bar, smile, got it,” Danny said. “Brenda, would you mind taking a picture of Tiffany and me?”

“Sure, stand next to her. Do you think you can grow just a little Danny, or if you’d like you can borrow my heels so you can be as tall as Tiffany,” Brenda laughed.

“Very funny Brenda, just take the picture,” Danny said.

“I can take my heels off if you would like,” Tiffany said.

“I’m fine. Go ahead Brenda, take the picture.”

Brenda took the picture and handed the camera back to Danny.

“Let me take one of you and Tiffany, stand next to each other,” Danny said, “Okay, I’ll go print these. Do you want any copies?”

“I do, the one with Tiffany and me,” Brenda said.

“I’ll be right back,” Danny said.

“He’s sweet,” Tiffany said.

“Oh please, if you knew Danny like I do you would know he’s just a terrible flirt, but you can’t help but like him,” Brenda said.

The girls sat back down at their table.

“Thank you for trying to protect Mario from Bill. I don’t know what I would do if I had to investigate him,” Brenda said.

“I know how you feel about him and I’m sure if he wasn’t a nice guy you would know, just don’t let your feelings for him cloud your judgment,” Tiffany said.

“I won’t,” Brenda said.

“Seriously though, I can’t believe you compromised the investigation, the way you did,” Tiffany said.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t plan on falling in love with Mario,” Brenda said.

“But you did. You should have never gone out with him in the first place,” Tiffany admonished.

“Tiffany, I don’t know what happened to me. I feel so foolish, but I couldn’t help myself. I’m truly sorry for all this,” Brenda said.

“I know you are, but next time think before you react, and don’t date a person of interest in an investigation,’ Tiffany said.

“I won’t,” Brenda groveled.

“Are you serious about the cops being the source of the drugs?” Tiffany asked.

“Think about it, who was Natalia going to see when she was killed, the police. I’m sure she didn’t tell Melissa she was going to them so the only other people that knew were the police. I just don’t know where to start with them. Maybe Melissa will introduce me to her boyfriend and there might be a chance that he might have some information he isn’t aware of. He might say something that might be of interest to us,” Brenda said.

“I have an idea, but I don’t know how to carry it out. I met a cop a while back and maybe he might have some kind of idea as to who might be involved,” Tiffany said.

“It’s worth a try” but don’t blow our cover doing it. Who is he anyway?” asked Brenda.

“Just a cop I met after a photo shoot. He’s a street cop, you know, one that wants to do his job without all the political bullshit. I think I can trust him.”

“Be sure before you tell him anything about yourself, or you might be killed.”

“I’ll be careful. What about you? What are you going to do? Go to Melissa’s boyfriend and say, I’m FBI? That sure won’t work.”

“I’m not sure yet, I think I might be able to work the drug, whore angle. Melissa wants me to work for her so bad that she is actually nice to me, you know the saccharine touch. If she’s any sweeter to me I’ll probably get diabetes,” Brenda giggled.

“I’ll call Hank tomorrow and see if he can be trusted,” Tiffany said.

“Did you decide what you are going to do at Christmas?” Brenda asked.

“I think I’ll go with you, if that’s alright.”

“Of course it’s alright. My mom will like the company. Now let's see what Danny has for us to eat.”

Danny provided a dazzling array of food for the girls and they were stuffed by the time they were finished eating.

“Well girls, did I do good?” Danny asked.

“That was delicious Danny,” Tiffany said.

“If you keep this up, I might have to marry you, Danny,” Brenda laughed.

“Don’t scare me Brenda. Marriage is a four letter word as far as I’m concerned,” he responded.

“Do you mean you wouldn’t want to be with me twenty-four seven Danny. You’re breaking my heart,” Brenda laughed.

“I might be tempted with Tiffany,” Danny said.

“Don’t get your hopes up unless you are willing to wait on me hand and foot,” Tiffany replied.

“I think I’ll just stick to the bar and when I feel lonely I’ll just have a shot of Jack and remember what I’m passing up,” Danny said with a laugh.

The girls paid their bill and went on their way.

Tiffany found Hank’s business card and called him on his cell phone.

“Hank Phelps,” he answered.

“Hi Hank, I don’t know if you remember me, but I met you several months ago and you bought me a cup of coffee. My name is Tiffany Rollins,” she said.

“How could I forget a beautiful woman like you, especially after I’ve seen your picture everywhere, I’m surprised that you remembered me,” he said.

“Of course I remember you and the reason I’m calling is that I would like to see you about something personal going on in my life,” she said.

“Is someone trying to hurt you?” he asked.

“No, it’s nothing like that, but it does have something to do with my work and I wanted to get together with you to talk about it. I wondered if we could meet?”

“Are you kidding me? Of course I’ll meet with you. No one will believe that I got to see Tiffany Rollins for a date,” he said.

“Where would you like to meet and when?” she asked.

“Is tomorrow too soon? I have the day off,” he asked.

“That will work for me. I have a fashion show in the afternoon, but I’m free after that. Why don’t we meet for dinner, my treat?” she said.

“I have just the place, right off Times Square on forty-third. Let’s say seven?”

“I’ll see you then, and thanks Hank,” Tiffany said.

“The pleasure is all mine, Tiffany. See you tomorrow night.”