5

Camille stood, nervously staring at the bus. She was beginning to have doubts, but she knew she couldn’t turn back. It wasn’t heading anywhere exciting. She had chosen a small town in the middle of nowhere. It seemed like a good place for a fresh start.

“You’re sure you didn’t forget anything?” Julia looked, doubtfully, at her duffle bag.

Camille nodded. “I don’t have much. I got all the clothes I need.” She looked at her. “I’ll be okay,” she promised.

Julia nodded, uncertainly. “You’ll be sure to call?”

Camille smiled and repeated Julia’s cell phone number.

“Call as often as you can,” Julia told her. She looked at the clock. “Your bus will be leaving soon. You should probably get on it.”

Camille nodded, but didn’t move. “Julia…” She swallowed. “Thank you.” Before any response could be made, she hopped up the bus steps and took a seat near the window. As they pulled away, she stared out at her foster mother, keeping her gaze on her as long as possible.

It was dark by the time they reached their destination, even though it had been morning when they left. Camille stepped off the bus, bag slung over her shoulder. She stared around at the flat land, a little disconcerted. She counted the bills in her pocket, knowing she didn’t have enough for a motel room. She hadn’t told Julia that, knowing it would worry her. She was glad it was warm, at least. She grabbed a dollar burger and some water from a nearby fast food place, then looked around for a place to sleep. In the end, she wound up sleeping under a bridge. It wasn’t much, but she had to make do with what she could. The duffel bag became a makeshift pillow and she eventually fell asleep to the chirping of crickets.

“So you have a daughter,” Caleb commented the next day, standing by Emma’s desk.

Emma shrugged, as though it was no big deal. “Lots of people do.”

He conceded the point. “You never told me before.”

“You never asked.” She looked at him. “And we have only known each other about a week. You expect my life story?”

“Well, I wouldn’t say ‘no’ to it.” He smiled. “You interest me, Emma Roxbury.”

“All the more reason for me to keep my secrets.” She returned the smile. “I’m sure you would find me quite dull if you knew them.”

“I doubt that,” he replied, dropping a file onto her desk. “Dead enforcer for the Alfero family found in his apartment. You with me?”

“Of course. We’re partners.” She picked up the file. “So shall we head down to the morgue and check out the body?”

He smiled. “You read my mind.”

Camille was stiff and sore all over when she woke up. She groaned and sat up, stretching, slowly. She looked around at her new home. It was flat, as she had noticed the night before. She felt nostalgic for her mountains, but shook it off and stood, scooping up her bag. The first order of business was to find a way to make money. The solution was a run-down diner. She applied and was interviewed in the same day. Two days of cheap burgers and nights under the bridge later, she was waiting tables. It wasn’t glamorous, but it was a start.

The morgue was cold and sterile. The walls were whitewash and covered with metal freezers for bodies. There were four metal counters, one of which, held a body.

A young man sat at a desk. He was thin and almost as pale as one of the corpses. His hair was black and framed his face in curls. He looked up as they entered and smiled. “Good afternoon. Come to see one of my patients?”

Caleb paused and looked around. “Where’s Dr. McGregor?”

“He retired last week,” the young man informed them as he stood. “There was a party, I think…with cake.” He waved the thought away. “I’m Dr. Parrish, but you can call me Isaac if you like.”

“Um…okay…” Caleb hesitated, not sure how to handle this new person. He was used to McGregor. McGregor was a quiet man who only talked to them about what they needed to know. “We’re here for James Leroy.”

“Ah, yes.” Isaac quickly stepped over to the slab and pulled back the sheet. “Pretty cut and dry. One shot to the chest and out went the lights.” He looked at Caleb. “No evidence on the body except the bullet.” He held up a clear container in which it clinked. “Nine millimeter.”

Caleb took the container and looked it over. “Any matches from previous cases?”

“Nope.” Isaac shook his head, tossing the curls around a bit. “This gun committed its first crime. It’s sad, really. It just got bought and murdered someone. People are so unfair. This is why guns get a bad name.” Caleb raised an eyebrow at him and Isaac smiled. “I’m only kidding; trying to lighten the mood.” He covered the body back up. “Dead or living, no one seems to appreciate my humor.” He looked at Emma. “You’re awfully quiet. Cat got your tongue?”

Roxbury shook her head. “Just listening.”

“So basically, you have no useful information,” Caleb commented towards the M.E.

“Well, it was close range, so he probably knew his attacker.” Isaac shrugged. “Could be he got replaced or something. There was only one bullet, so it probably wasn’t an act of passion. He wasn’t married, anyway.”

Greene nodded. “Well, thanks, anyway. Let us know if you find anything more useful.”

Isaac smiled. “Will do, detectives.”

“So that will be a club sandwich with extra mayo and a large diet coke. Anything else?” Camille smiled at her customer.

He was a heavy set man with laugh lines that gave him a friendly look. He returned the smile, making his lines more defined. “Nope. That’ll do it.”

She nodded, making her ponytail flip a little. “I’ll have it out to you in a jiffy.” She placed the written order at the counter where the food prep crew got to work on it as she filled the drink.

“You’re popular with the customers, Camille,” her manager, Kelly, commented. “You’ll be managing this place before you know it.”

The girl shook her head. “That’s nice of you to say, but I’m really only good as a waitress, I think.”

“You should have more confidence in yourself, kid,” Kelly told her. “You’re pretty and hardworking. You can do a lot.” She saw the order come up and nodded to Camille. “Speaking of which, you should get back to your job.”

Camille smiled, took the plate and headed to the table. “Here you go. Let me know if I can do anything else.” As usual, she got a good tip.

Emma and Caleb started with a search of Leroy’s apartment. As they sorted through the junk, Greene tried to strike up a conversation. “So your daughter…is her father still in the picture?”

“Are you back on that subject?” she asked with a smile.

“I’m a detective. We’re naturally curious.” He opened a drawer and ruffled through some clothes. “You’re not married, right? You don’t have a ring.”

She looked at him. “Is that what this is about?” She sighed and shook her head. “I was afraid this was coming.”

He looked at her, a little confused. “Afraid what was coming?”

She looked at some trash that littered the floor. “Listen, I’m flattered by your interest, but I think we should stay professional in our relationship. I mean, I get it.” She looked at him. “You’re a single male and I’m a single female, but I’m not really looking for a relationship and, as partners, it would be a terrible idea anyway.”

Caleb stayed silent for the whole rant. When she stopped talking, he nodded. “Alright. I’m glad you got that off your chest. May I say something, now?”

“Sure. Go ahead.” Emma felt a little awkward, but was glad it was settled. She had been worrying about it since she’d heard a rumor that he had requested her as a partner. Now, no matter what he said, everything was out in the open and they could move past it.

He paused for a moment before telling her, “I’m gay.”

She stared at her partner, blankly, for several moments. “Is that a joke?”

He shook his head. “Nope.”

“Oh.” She couldn’t think of anything more intelligent to say as she felt the blood rushing to her cheeks from embarrassment. “Do the other officers know?”

He smiled and shook his head again. “You’re the first person in the precinct I’ve told and I would appreciate it if this could stay between us.”

She nodded, dumbly. “So you have no romantic interest in me?”

“None at all,” he assured her.

Deciding to end the awkwardness and move on, she smiled. “Well, then, let’s get back to work, partner.”

That night, Camille returned to her cheap motel room, thoroughly exhausted. She’d pulled a double shift and was ready to pass out, but it was worth it. She had a nice stack of tips in her apron which she hid in her duffel bag under the bed. She stripped off her uniform and turned on the shower, letting the steaming water wash the day away. This was far from the life she had dreamed of having, but she was okay with it. Working long and hard made it easier not to think about unpleasant things and she was saving money, hoping to get a better future, eventually. She ran a hand over her stomach, touching the scar that reminded her of the future she’d lost, but she pushed those thoughts out of her mind. She was going to have to find a new future. Waiting tables didn’t get her much, but it was a start. After washing up, she crawled into bed and pulled the covers to her chin, falling into a dreamless sleep.

“I want to meet her,” Caleb informed Emma as they finished searching the apartment and headed back to the precinct. At her confused look, he clarified, “Your daughter. I’d like to meet her.”

“Why?” Emma asked. She was still caught off guard by his confession and this new request further startled her.

Caleb couldn’t help but smile, glad he was finally surprising her, instead of the other way around. “You’re my partner and I’d like to know you a bit better.” Before she could respond, he added, “I get that you want to keep your past in the past, but surely, I can know about your present.”

Emma considered that for a moment, then nodded. “Alright, but my apartment isn’t really suitable for company, at the moment.”

He shrugged. “So I’ll take you out for dinner.” He smiled at her. “It will be a way for me to meet your daughter and thank you for saving my life in one go.”

She sighed. “I told you that you don’t need to thank me.”

“Then you can thank me for buying you dinner,” he countered, “So Friday night?”

She sighed, giving up. “Alright.” She looked at him. “But nothing too expensive.”

“Fair enough,” he said. “I look forward to it.” They entered the precinct and returned to discussing the case.

“Hi. I’m Camille. How can I help you?” She gave a friendly smile to the man who had taken a seat at one of the tables.

He barely seemed to notice her at first as he was helping a child get settled in one seat while trying to get his baby to stop crying. “Hold on just a second.”

Camille looked at the baby. “How old is she?”

“Just under a year,” he replied, picking the girl up and trying to calm her down. The other child bounced impatiently in her seat.

“May I?” Camille asked, holding her arms out for the baby. Having been through plenty of foster siblings, she had quite a bit of experience getting babies to stop crying. The distressed father handed his little girl over and Camille bounced her a bit as she spoke. “My, what strong lungs you have.” Her relaxed demeanor quickly calmed the girl and she returned the baby to her father.

He looked at her with awe in his eyes. “You have to show me how to do that.”

Camille giggled. “Well, first things first.” She held up her notepad. “What would you like to eat?”

“What did your brother do for a living?” Caleb asked. He already knew, but it was interesting to hear the answers people gave.

Leroy’s sister, Heather, shrugged. “Odd jobs, I think. He told me once he was a handyman, but we weren’t that close.” She held a tissue tightly in her hand, but hadn’t needed it yet. The tears were still just under her lids. “Why would anyone do something like this?” She looked at them.

Caleb held her gaze. “We’re doing everything in our power to find out.”

“In the meantime, if you think of anything useful,” Emma handed her a card, “give us a call.”

After promising that she would, Heather left the station. Caleb looked at Emma. “Think she knew anything?”

His partner shrugged. “Hard to say. She seemed genuine, but…”

He nodded his understanding and looked down at his notepad. “Guess we should talk to some of his known associates, now.”

“Shall we start with the don or work our way up?”

Greene considered it for a moment. “If we start lower, he’ll have too much time to get wind of us, I think.”

She nodded her understanding. “Well, let’s call him in, then.”

“Glad to see things are going more smoothly today,” Camille commented, seeing the man, whose name she had learned to be Joseph, and his two daughters sitting at one of her tables. The baby was sound asleep in her carrier.

He returned the smile. “Yeah. Things got hectic yesterday. You were a real lifesaver.”

“I didn’t do much.” She looked at the little girl and smiled. “Hello. What’s your name?”

The girl had slipped her fingers in her mouth and stared, blankly at Camille.

“Her name is Lily,” Joseph replied on her behalf. “And this little one is Emily.” He smiled at the infant.

“Well, they’re both adorable,” Camille told him, holding up her notepad. “So what can I get for you?”

Joseph put in his order. When Camille returned with it, he hesitated before asking, “What time do you get off work?”

She cocked her head, making her long ponytail flip to one side. “I don’t know if I should tell that to a man I just met.”

He chuckled. “Sorry…it’s just…” He looked to his girls, then back to Camille. “I have a late shift tonight and I could really use a sitter. My usual one got another job.”

She laughed. “Well, why didn’t you say so in the first place?”

Don Alfero was a cliché from his leather shoes to his big belly, gold rings and pudgy face, full of frown lines. He had allowed them into his apartment, and they sat across from him and two of his bodyguards.

“I was sad to hear about James,” the don commented in a thick accent. “He was a good guy, loyal, you know? I can’t believe anyone would do something like this.”

“Well, the close range and the fact that the bullet entered from the front indicates he knew his killer.” Caleb informed him.

Alfero shook his head. “You can’t trust anyone these days.” He held out his hands. “Please, anything I can do to help, just say so.”

Emma exchanged a glance with Caleb before speaking. “Can you think of anyone who would want to hurt Mr. Leroy?”

“We all have enemies. James was no different,” he replied. “But he was smart. It wasn’t like him to get caught off his guard. He was a survivor. That’s part of why I liked him.”

Caleb nodded. “Well, if you could tell us anyone you know of that might have done this, that would move the case along.” He stilled hadn’t ruled Alfero out as a suspect, but he knew to play nice until he had to change tactics. People talked more that way, usually.

“Any of the Donati family might. They’ve been trying to move in on my turf for a while. Taking out one of my best guys is just the kind of move they would make.”

Caleb made a note of that on his pad. “Anyone else?”

“No one specific,” the don replied. “But I’ll let you know if I think of anything, for sure.”

“Alright.” Caleb handed him a card. “Be sure you do.”

Camille showed up at Joseph’s house after her shift that night. She was a little hesitant about being in a stranger’s house, but she needed the money, so she was willing to take the risk. However, she wasn’t stupid, so she left his address and name with her manager, in case she went missing or worse.

He smiled when he opened the door and found her there. “Just in time.” He let her in. He was wearing his security guard uniform. “I’ve already given Lily her dinner and I just gave Emily a bottle. She’ll probably be asleep in a few minutes. Lily has an eight o’clock bedtime.”

Camille nodded. “Got it. I’m sure it will be no trouble.”

“Thanks again for doing this,” he told her. “I know it was last minute and I don’t know what I would have done if you’d refused.”

She smiled. “Glad I can help.” She looked at Lily. “We’re going to have fun, right?”

The child held up a doll. “This is Sophie.”

“Nice to meet you, Sophie.” Camille smiled and looked at Joseph. “Don’t worry. I won’t let anything happen to them.”

He smiled back. “I’m sure you won’t.” He looked at his daughter. “Be good for Camille, alright?”

“I will,” she promised and he was out the door. Lily looked at Camille and held up another doll. “Do you want to play?”

“I would love to,” Camille replied. As she sat on the couch, she wondered if this was what it would have been like with her child.