Chrystal Chalice -- Who did the Malice -- Episode 2
A Short Story by Randy Gonzalez
***
While I stood there looking down at the body, my friend Kitty Kleft left her theater seat and joined me on stage. As usual, Kitty wore the tightest and shortest dress she could find. Her huge boobs bounced in unison with the precise rhythm only the finest implants could provide. For those who had never seen them in the flesh, the presence challenged the imagination. Having seen her naked on several occasions, I was very familiar with her body. At the same moment, she did not seem the least bit concerned about looking at dead body.
"Who did the malice?" I muttered with a speculative gaze. "The movie director has been shot and he is dead, very interesting." In the air, I caught scent of gunpowder, the smell of sex, and the grit of sweaty bodies pegging, fucking and smoking. "I mean why shoot this fuck. He was a terrible director. Arrogant, selfish and immature, but why shoot this asshole?"
"Wow, Chrissy," she muttered in a squeaky tone. "Is he dead?" She balanced precariously on amazingly thin spiked red heels. I nodded to her question. "That's awful, but go figure, you know. Guess you're right, who'd wanna shoot this guy," she let out a little gasp.
"Yep, he's dead alright," I pondered her question and made a mental note of that. I had already checked the vital signs of the deceased, as the police arrived. "Cops are here."
I glanced up the aisle of the famous adult theater here in the upscale suburb of Playa de Concha. Entering the scene at the Casa Del Cinema, an iconic 1950's styled landmark, was my favorite cop. The detective and I go back a ways. We were partners once, both on the job and off. He was good cop, a good lover and a great friend. I just had to move on with my life.
"Well, well, two of my favorite people," the detective said once on stage with us. His easygoing jovial manner, tainted with a strong flavor of cynicism, animated his style. "Ms. Kitty, always a pleasure." He greeted my gaze with a smile and a wink at Kitty. Smoothly, he added, "A special pleasure to see you detective. You're looking exquisite and fit, Chrystal."
"Likewise, Lieutenant," I said with a warm slant. "How's it hanging?"
"Hanging well, detective," he said back with a smirk. The tan trench coat looked good on him. Or for that matter, it looked good off of him, particularly if he were completely naked underneath. "Well, your diagnosis?" He stooped at the side of the body and waited for the paramedics to respond. In the meantime, "Sarge," he called off to one side below the stage. "Button this place up including the surrounding area. Post a unit outside Tony's office."
"You got the Tuna on lockdown?" I muttered to the Lieutenant. "Bet he likes that."
"Yep, that's where I sent him," Lt. Ash Graves responded. To the patrol sergeant, he added, "Sarge, separate these witnesses and put the crime scene people to work." He glanced at a technician standing on the other side of the body. With one hand raised, he sighed and said, "Give us a moment and you can start taking your photos." Over his shoulder, he noted the sub still cuffed and bound on the leather bench. He pointed a thumb in that direction. "Someone wanna release the leather man over there? Get him sequestered somewhere quiet."
"Two shots center mass and one to the head," the paramedic advised. "He's dead."
"Ok, standby for transport," the lieutenant said to her. "Thank you, appreciate your help." Behind the medic, he pointed to the crime scene photographer. "Shoot the pictures."
"Detective Chalice," Ash said with a long exhale. "Join me for stroll, please."
"Of course, Lieutenant, I'm all yours," I said with a sly smirk and the best Betty Boop impression of could muster. "Let's do it the hallway, or I mean, chat in the hallway."
"That might be considered a bribe, Detective," he replied swiftly.
"Uh huh, and?" I swiftly shot back. We entered an adjacent hallway. "I know you're gonna hit me with what I know so far. So, here it is. I'm working a missing person case for Kitty."
"Yes, I know that," Ash let me know quickly he was onto that. "Tell me something I don't know." He surveyed the death scene again. "What did you see?"
"Here's what I got, Lieutenant," I started and laid out the whole thing. From the missing Cucky, to the dead movie director. "Ash, you know I'd tell ya everything I know." I swallowed back some other things going on inside my head. "I won't fuck with ya, we go way back."
"Yeah, Chrystal, I got that," he said with a smile. "Well, Chalice, where's the malice."
"I'm working on a theory," I told him, rubbed his shoulder and gave him a kiss on the cheek. "Catch me later, I'll give you an update. I'm headed out to the old mansion." I turned slightly and gave him a wink. "Wanna share an oyster pie at the marina?"
"Hmm, a tempting offer for the catch of the day," he said sensuously.
"Maybe a kielbasa in a bun?" I smirked wickedly.
"You're amazing, detective; we'll what pops up the rest of the day. I'll think about that, my dear, stay safe out there," Ash replied with an easy smile that animated his face and softened his toughness. "Evil is afoot and you might need backup."
"Always do, likewise, keep your gun handy," I teased back at him.