“Can we come inside?” I ask, eager not to risk being seen by Zeke’s cronies that might be nearby.
She shrugs and moves aside, walking into the dirty living room. She’s wearing an oversized, ragged t-shirt and lace panties. Her pale, stick-thin legs are bare. The apartment is a mess, littered with trash and takeout containers. On the coffee table are clear signs of recent drug use.
Trish catches my disgusted expression. “I’m gonna clean up before my first client arrives. You didn’t call ahead, so you can’t judge me for not being ready for guests,” she says defensively before flopping down onto the couch.
I hold up my hands in surrender. “I didn’t say a word.”
Trish gives me a dismissive glance before turning her attention to Cole. “Sit next to me, Cole,” she says, patting the filthy couch.
He does so reluctantly. I choose to remain standing, partly because I don’t want to come in contact with whatever’s on the couch, but also so I can keep an eye on the door.
“So, how are you handsome?” she purrs, batting her lashes at Cole. “Is it wishful thinking that this is a social visit?”
“Fraid so, darlin’. Lena and her daughter Mia have gone missing. We think Zeke mighta’ took them. Know anything about that?” Cole knows she won’t say anything without us forking over some drugs or money. Cole opts for cash, producing a twenty from his pocket. We’re not into dealing hard drugs, a bit of pot here or there maybe, but that’s about it.
Trish grabs it as though it might disappear if she isn’t quick enough. “I don’t know why everybody is so obsessed with her. Why go chasing after her when you’ve got perfectly good women here?”
Cole shrugs. “I don’t have time to explain what makes Lena special to us, she just is. And as the saying goes, why go out for burgers when you’ve got steak at home?”
Trish rolls her eyes. “First off, I never got that saying. You can’t beat a good cheeseburger. Secondly, you ain’t got shit at home cos Lena ain’t there.” Trish cackles at her own joke.
“So where is she?” I growl. “I’m growing tired of these games.”
Trish looks at me, unimpressed. “Always so grumpy. Can’t you be a bit more fun like Cole here?”
Cole is a pretty serious person, but he’s also better at turning on the charm than I am. I let him take over again. If I have to pry the information out of Trish with force, I will, but I’d prefer it if Cole could charm it from her.
“Seriously, though, Trish. Do you know anything about Lena and Mia being taken?” Cole asks, taking her hand in his and looking into her eyes.
She swoons, as they all do, and nods. “Sure, it’s all the Iron Vultures have been talking about for weeks. Frankly, it’s getting boring. Zeke’s been trying to find Lena for ages.”
“Why?” I blurt.
“Because the kid’s his, of course,” Trish says, her tone implying we’re stupid not to know this.
Cole and I exchange a glance. We both know this isn’t true. But interestingly, Zeke thinks she is, which can only mean one thing. Lena was lying when she said she didn’t sleep with Zeke. When I realize what that means, that he must have raped her that night, rage bubbles in my veins. If Zeke were here right now, I’d shoot him dead. I also feel terrible for Lena. I wish she trusted me enough to tell me, but I’m sure she had her reasons. This is one lie of Lena’s I can understand.
By unspoken agreement, Cole and I decide not to reveal that I’m Mia’s father.
“So what does he want with them?” Cole asks.
Trish shrugs. “Who knows. Zeke gets really possessive, though, and he’s pretty old-fashioned about family and all that.There’s been talk of a wedding. But he and Mary Beth ain’t been fucking for long, so who knows.”
“Mary Beth?” Cole asks, his brow raising with surprise. “As in the Mary Beth who used to be in the Soaring Eagles?”
“The very same,” Trish replies, lighting a cigarette and taking a deep drag.
“And she’s Zeke’s woman?”
“So it seems, but if you ask me, Zeke’s just using her for information about y’all.” Trish waves a hand lazily at us, smoke drifting through the air. Ash drops onto the floor. She makes no move to pick it up or use an ashtray.
Cole looks at me again. I know we’re thinking the same thing. If what Trish is saying is true, then Mary Beth is probably the woman who took Lena. It would explain why Lena acted like she knew her.
Cole brings the conversation back around to the most important thing. “So, Zeke has Lena and Mia. Do you know where he’s keeping them?”
Trish narrows her eyes and takes another long drag. “Now, that information is going to cost you a heck of a lot more than twenty bucks.”
Cole pulls out a one-hundred-dollar bill. Trish’s eyes light up greedily, but she plays it cool. “Maybe I don’t want cash. Maybe I want you two boys to fuck me senseless, show me what Lena’s getting. Maybe you’ll see that Lena ain’t worth all the fuss.” She smiles and spreads her legs, stroking herself.
