TEASER I wasn’t aware of her presence until I heard a slight sound to the left, and then the aroma of her perfume struck my nose like a hammer. Turning to look - my shock must have been obvious. She smiled without speaking, handed me a lighter and stuffed a cigarette in her mouth. Surprised and confused with her actions, I took the lighter, lit her cigarette, and stared at her beautiful face. Who was my new visitor? No lipstick, no makeup and no frills, this lady seemed ‘all business’, while adding a mysterious air to her personality. The hair was dark and cut short; almost in a man’s style, but longer on the top and sides. Her facial features were gentle in texture, but strong in appearance – presenting a smile that had confidence written all over it. Small lips surrounded her freshly lit cigarette, and they appeared to be moving as she slowly sucked air through the filter, drawing the smoke into her lungs – and adding to her comfortable smile. However, despite what I thought I saw, I heard nothing coming out of her perfectly shaped mouth – this lady wasn’t speaking yet, at least not with words! She was wearing a white ‘snowflake’ sweater that appropriately emphasized amble breasts, which slowly rose and fell as she took a deep draw from her cigarette. Skintight red cotton slacks, without a flaw or wrinkle, surrounded a perfect lower body. The slacks were tight, offering little imagination for the viewer as to what might be underneath. However, they did make you wonder how someone could put then on without help! Both sweater and slacks were highlighted by light brown loafers, which she had now, comfortably, placed near the foot of my barstool. I saw no earrings no jewelry, no rings and no extra-added attractions to her appearance - I was interested. “Mr. Reno,” she said blowing smoke in my direction. “I’m Helen Goodhead, do you have a moment?” “I’m...Im sure you are….” I said staring at her eyes and not realizing what I had said. “What? What…do you know who I am? Have we met?” “Miss…Miss Goodhead, I’m sorry. No, I have absolutely no idea who you are, but evidently you know me. Please let me buy you a drink, and I’ll be happy to share my time with you.” “Thank you that will be nice, and please call me Helen if you don’t mind,” she said blowing more smoke out into the already thick air. I signaled Nuddy, and he acknowledged – seeming to know Miss Helen Goodhead’s drink of preference without asking. “Now, Miss Goodhead…Helen, how can I be of assistance?” I was rudely staring at her - intrigued by her strange beauty, the tone of voice and boldness of her speech. “I’m Judge Arthur Singleton’s personal assistant – secretary as you would probably call it. You left a message with his answering service to phone you at a place called Chief’s – I believe that’s a ‘beer-joint’ located somewhere in Humboldt. Anyway, the answering service gave me the message and I returned your call. The person who answered said you weren’t there, and that I might try the VFW, C.C.’s Pool Room or the Humboldt Country Club. An odd assortment of places I admit; but, I tried each of them and finally located you here.” I was still rudely staring at her, not knowing how to respond to her odd statement and wondering what was coming next! “So, Mr. Carson Reno,” she continued, “how can Judge Singleton be of assistance?” She crushed out her cigarette and turned to watch Nuddy deliver her drink – a Vodka/Tonic. “Ah, Miss…I mean Helen, I don’t need to speak with you – I need to speak with Judge Singleton. Was my message not clear?” She turned on her stool to look directly at me, handed me her lighter (again), stuffed another cigarette in her mouth and smiled. I lit it. “I handle all of Judge Singleton’s affairs,” she said blowing a mouth full of smoke directly at me. “I’m sure I can resolve whatever problem you might have or answer any questions.” “Really?” I stiffened while still staring at her. “Yes, really. Now, how can Judge Singleton be of assistance?” “He can find time for his ass to talk to me! I have some questions.” I wasn’t being nice, and certainly not satisfied with where this conversation was going. “What are your questions?” She picked up her drink, flipped ashes in the nearby ashtray and turned slightly on her stool. Unlike Carson Reno, Miss Helen Goodhead was maintaining her cool. My blood pressure was rising and I was trying to maintain composure – it wasn’t easy. “Alright Miss Goodhead, I want to know why Judge Singleton was being blackmailed. I want to know about the meeting last Saturday night at the Humboldt Hotel with the blackmail victims. I want to know about any new blackmail demands, I want to know what he knows about the murders of
Posted on: Wed, 19 Mar 2014 20:50:22 +0000
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