Vermilion Kiss by John Triptych

Author:John Triptych [Triptych, John]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: J Triptych Publishing
Published: 2024-07-16T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 21

I HAD A LIGHT BREAKFAST near the Chinatown fish market before I stopped by a Western Union branch and sent off a telegram addressed to Irv, billing him for a bevy of expenses. I could have gone over to the courthouse and confronted him before the trial resumed, but I figured it would be better to wait until he called on me first.

I felt like a ship with a loose anchor and considered quitting the whole affair right then and there, but Sonny’s life remained hanging in the balance. I felt I owed it to myself to find out the whole truth, even if the principal players involved only wanted their little piece of it.

Making my way to Chinatown’s main courtyard, I looked up and checked out the window that had been a part of my secret room. It was the one memorable place where I’d spent countless afternoons growing up in. The panes were closed, and the interior seemed to be filled with boxes now. I savored that fleeting sense of nostalgia for a brief moment, wishing I could somehow turn back time, before reluctantly returning to my dreary reality.

At nine o’clock sharp, the signage behind the glass entrance to the Benevolent Association Building flipped over from closed to open, and I was the first visitor to step inside.

The reception area was small, with a single desk manned by a familiar face. Ethel Moy was the association’s secretary for the past forty years, and she knew practically everyone. Ethel gave me a friendly smile as I strode up the desk. “Good morning, Tommy. What can I do for you today?”

“Hello, Mrs. Moy. I was wondering if the Association has been bankrolling any lawyers lately.”

“Of course we do. Do you require legal assistance?”

“Actually I wanted to inquire about one lawyer in particular. His name is Irving Fleischer.”

Ethel gave me a confused look. “I don’t think the Association has him on our books.”

“Are you sure?”

She put on her reading glasses before opening up a ledger and perused its contents. “Nope. If he’s not listed here, then we’ve never dealt with him.”

I thanked her and left the building. Getting back to my car, I drove south towards Bunker Hill. Remembering the exact place where Sonny’s wife lived, I parked the car along the back alley and got out. The same group of old geezers were there still sitting on the back porches, waiting for lunchtime since there was nothing else to do.

Making my way up the steps, I peered through the screen door while knocking. At first the interior looked deserted, before a shadowy outline appeared, and I recognized her. “Maria? It’s me, the detective.”

She shuffled closer until her face became visible just behind the dusty screen. “Hello. I remember you.”

“Can we talk for a minute?”

Maria nodded before stepping out and joined me on the back porch. “Yes?”

“I just wanted to ask you... about Irv. Where did you first meet him?”

She appeared a little confused. “The attorney? Where is he?”

“He’s with your husband at the trial.

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