Read Story: SEASON 1 EPISODE 28

They drive around to check on another address; one Trudy has come up with for Jay Scanlon. They knock and wait. No answer so Mike tries knocking again, but still no reply. They give up and drive off to a second address she has for Scanlon. This time the door opens just as soon as he knocks.

"Hi there, I'm looking for Jay Scanlon. Is he home this morning?"

"No, he's out." She rolls her eyes at him and says, "Maybe I can help you. I work for Jay. Come in."

Mike steps to the door and waves for Trudy to come and join him. He steps inside but stays in the doorway. He flips out his I.D. card then says, "I am private investigator, Mike Claymore and this young lady coming up the walk is my assistant, Trudy Garneau. We have a few questions for you in the Flo Hanson case. Did you know Flo?"

"Maybe I did and maybe I didn't. I didn't invite you in to answer questions. Please leave."

Trudy cuts in with, "Flo's dead and Georgie's scared she's next. Maybe she's wrong. Maybe it’s you."

"Cut the dramatics. We all know it was that truck driver who did her in. He's a sex pervert!"

"Then why have they let him go? That's right, he's walking the streets as free as you or me. I think Jay did it, to keep you girls in line. Now what do you say?"

"He couldn't have done it. He told me he was playing cards at the cab stand all night. The other guys will vouch for him, I'm sure."

"That's what he told you? Does he always tell you the truth?"

"I can check." She picks up the phone, dials then talks for a minute. She starts arguing and finally slams the receiver down. "That lying bastard. He wasn't even at work that night. Okay, what you want to know?"

"Jay ever get violent with you?"

"He's slapped me around. One time he said he'd cut me if he ever caught me holding out on him. That's all."

"He into drugs?" This was Mike's question.

"No way, he's death on them and says he better not catch any of his girls using. You think he actually did that girl in?"

"I don't know. It looks like his alibi might be full of holes. I suppose the guys told the cops that he was with them all night playing cards. They wouldn't lie to you, though."

Trudy comes in again, "Jay into Fantasy Sex?"

"If it’s called for. Why?"

"We think the killer used Fantasy Sex to get her away out there by the tracks, tied up and all."

"It does sound like something kinky alright. Otherwise why would she go? But Jay! I don't know."

"He staying here now?"

"Not now. He comes and goes."

"Look, uh, what's your name?" It's Mike again.

"Peaches. They call me Peaches. That's enough."

"Look, uh Peaches, I'm going to leave you my card. If Jay comes by and threatens you or you think of something that might help us in our investigation, call our number."

A voice comes from the other room, "Peaches, tell him about the cat."

Mike and Trudy stare at the doorway where a lady in her forties is standing in leather pants and a bright yellow see through blouse.

Peaches says, "This is Sheri, my room mate."

"I'm the reason Jay won't mess with her. He's scared of me. Peaches got a kitten given to her by a John. Jay thought she was holding so he strangled her cat with one hand and watched it die in front of her. He said it was to teach her not to hold back money from him. When I came in she was a basket case. That's the night I carved my initials into his chest with a broken beer bottle. He hasn't bothered her again."

Mike shudders but Trudy says, "How'd you hold him still?"

Sheri smiles and says, "If someone holds a broken beer bottle that close to your heart, you hold still, baby."

Trudy laughs and says, "I like your style."

After leaving Sheri and Peaches they go for a bite of lunch. Trudy chuckles and says, "I like working with you. I meet the most interesting people."

"Well I've got a bouncer you'll just love to meet. We see him at two at The Gardens.

"Mike, do you think Scanlon's our killer. I don't get a strong feeling he's our man."

"I don't know. It still could be her ex. I have to reserve judgment on Scanlon till I meet him. What say we meet the Harrison’s after lunch?"

"He's a Realtor, but I bet his wife's at home. When do I get a chance to meet Tony and Ray?"

"Tony sometimes comes in here for lunch. I hoped he might drop in today but no luck, so far."

"That's why we're eating in a trucker's hangout."

"You got it."

"The foods quite good."

"I know."

They finish lunch and drive over to Larkin Ave. Rolling lawns and large spacious homes near the mall and park are what they find. They drive through the gates at 361 and pull into a courtyard. A new Mercedes is parked in the garage. The garage door is open and in the court behind the Mercedes is a Lincoln Towne car, also very new. Mike parks his Mustang convertible and they ring the bell. A maid answers their ring and says the Harrison’s are not receiving company at this time. Mike flashes his I.D. and says its business.

From an ascending staircase behind the maid a woman's voice comes, "Show them in, dear."

Rita Harrison comes forward to meet them. She's tall even without her dark hair piled high on her head and her makeup is perfect for going out although she's dressed in a revealing robe. It's fairly obvious she doesn't have anything under the robe as she directs them to a library.

"And what business have you to discuss with us, handsome." She disregards Trudy's presence, speaking directly to Mike.

"Oh, there you are, love. I didn't know you were busy." It’s an older gentleman in a robe who voices these words as he enters the room.

Mike glances at him and says, "Mr. Ron Harrison? I was hoping to find you at h..."

Rita laughs a brittle laugh cutting him off, "This is not my husband."

Trudy speaks up and says, "Of course not. Everyone knows Judge Forester. Good day sir."

The judge looks disconcerted and says, "Oh dear!" and leaves the room.

Mike says he's sorry for any embarrassment they might have caused and explains who they are. "How was it that you and your husband became acquainted with the deceased, Mrs. Harrison?"

She takes his arm and fondles it as she says, "Rita. You simply must call me Rita. Ronald found Florence through a cab driver friend of his. We needed another female guest for a party. I simply was aghast when I heard what happened to her. Such a waste of such a talented girl. Would you like something to drink? How about you, my dear? Trudy, was it? You're French? You don't look French."

"My ex husband was French. I still use his name. Did you know Florence well?"

"Hardly. Her life style didn't fit into our circle of friends at all. She lived a very pedestrian life with nobodies, but she was very good at what she did, if you know what I mean?"

"No. What was it she did?"

"Oh, she entertained men, you know."

"She was an entertainer?"

"She was a hooker!"

"And you hired her in that capacity?"

"Sometimes one must overlook the background of those one hires to feed the appetites of one's social associates. It’s very irritable business to have to tend to, but one does what one must. Of course it’s better to tend to business oneself as with the judge there." She smiles as she inclines her head towards the door. "He appreciates the personal touch."

Mike speaks up, "So it was your husband who hired Flo for any engagements. He contacted her how?"

"I think he had her number after her first visit."

"Did she often work for you folks? In particular, did she do any work for you during the week before her death?"

"She was here two nights before she died. It was a very lucrative night for her. She entertained two gentlemen during the course of the evening and I don't think either of them were aware of the other. She was very talented. We will miss her."

When Trudy and Mike are back in the car and leaving the grounds, Trudy says, "I wonder if she told Jay she was here two nights before her death? Maybe she was holding out on him and he did kill her."

"My own thoughts exactly."

"Are you going to take her up on her offer? I heard her invite you back as soon as you get rid of me."

"She didn't put it in those terms, but that's essentially what she meant. No, I don't think so."

They arrive at The Gardens at five after two. Mike raps on the side door and Meloney lets them in.

"Your just in time. Caramel and Stacy have just come in ahead of you. Manuel and his son should be here any minute."

She leads them to an area the other side of the bar where there is a changing room. "Which one do you want to see first?"

"I'll speak with Stacy and my associate, Trudy Garneau, will go in with you and speak with Caramel." He turns to Trudy and says, "Check for lockers and look around, got it?"

She winks and says, "Leave it to me, boss."

The ladies go into the change room and Mike looks around the pub. In a moment Meloney reappears with a young dark skinned girl. Mike judges her to be Arabic or Egyptian. She appears to still be in her teens. Mike looks questioningly at Meloney and she smiles as she says, "She's legal. Stacy is twenty-one, although I know she doesn't look it. Stacy, This is Mike. He's the private investigator I was telling you about. Help him if you can, eh?"

"I want to help catch the animal who did that bad thing. What can I do?"

"Just answer some questions for me. How well did you know Flo?"

"I liked Florence. She always had time to listen to my problems, even though she had so many of her own. We were friends."

"You knew she was a prostitute?"

"She never told me, but I guessed. It didn't matter. She was a lonely person a long way from her home in southern Ontario and needed friends. She also cared for others."

"Did you ever see her using drugs?"

"Definitely not! She was death on drugs. She said that they were the worst part of today's society. Part of what drove her husband to beat her was alcohol. She would have nothing to do with drugs."

"Did she tell you who she was planning to meet on that fatal night?"

"No. She seemed to be happy that she had a date but was very quiet about who it was with. I don't think it was a customer... a paying customer, a Johnny. You know what I mean?"

"Yes. Why don't you think it was?"

"She was too happy. It was like she was going to meet an old boy friend or someone like that."

"Do you think she could have been happy because she was going to try something new that night?"

"What do you mean?"

"It's been said that she was likely participating in an activity called Fantasy Sex. That's why she would go to that remote location and allow herself to be tied willingly. Do you think she could have been looking forward to that in a happy way?"

"I know about Fantasy Sex. If she had never tried it and someone offered her the chance that might have exited her. Maybe that was why she was so happy. But you have to trust someone completely to do that, you know." She regards him steadily and says, "Have you ever tried it?"

Mike feels his neck getting warm and says, "No. Not yet."

She smiles the slightest mysterious smile and says, "I think you soon will. Is there any more questions?"

"Uh, ...No. Please take my card and call if you think of anything that might help us, no matter how small." He's relieved to see Trudy coming out of the change room with a rangy girl. She has golden brown eyes and radiant honey colored hair. Mike goes to meet her and Stacy joins Caramel. Mike asks, "All done?"

"Yep. Let's find this bouncer. Caramel tells me he's a softy for the women but doesn't answer well for cops or other men. You want me to take him?"

"We'll both talk to him but I'll let you carry the ball in the interrogation. Let's see if he's here yet." Mike pokes his head in the kitchen and sees Pedro. He nods and asks, "Seen your Dad around?"

"He's outside fixing the car."

"Thanks."

They go out the side door and spot Manuel in the lot working on his aerial. He sees them and scowls.