Page 124 of In Cold Blood

“A funny guy. You know what?—”

“I’m not here for that,” Noah said, pulling out his badge. That got him to stop in his tracks but didn’t lessen his attitude.

The guy snorted. “Like that changes anything. She goes down on all types.”

“What’s your name?”

“I don’t have to tell you. And you sure as hell aren’t getting inside there. Unless of course, you have a search warrant?”

Noah offered back a confused expression.

“Well, like I told her the last time we spoke. If she wants her stuff back, she either pays me my two months’ rent or she gets the sheriff down here. That bitch owes me.”

“I just want to know where she is.”

“If I knew that,” he said, closing the distance, his eyes narrowing, “we wouldn’t be having this conversation.” There was a menacing tone to him. “But as she won’t hand over the green and she sure as hell won’t part her legs for me, it looks likeshe is going to be waiting a long time for her stuff,” he said, thumbing toward the apartment. “I have a good mind to sell what’s inside.”

Noah glanced toward his Bronco. Three dubious-looking guys were eyeing it, motioning to the wheels.

He knew he wasn’t going to make any progress here.

It was time to go.

“That’s between you and her,” Noah said. “Have a good day.” Noah moved past him, getting on the phone to try Trinity’s number. He’d waited to try it. The last thing he wanted was to spook her. Showing up at her old address was a shot in the dark. The phone number wasn’t any better. “The user you are trying to reach is unavailable.”

Great, he thought. It was no longer in service.

As Noah passed by an apartment two doors down, he noticed a middle-aged woman peering out. She shut the door abruptly. He continued, making his way down. Noah glanced up to the second floor and saw the woman had her door open again, she was looking on with interest.

“Fellas. You want to step away from the vehicle,” Noah said.

“Nice ride.”

“That it is. You familiar with Trinity Westwood?” Noah threw it out there, he figured it wouldn’t do any harm to ask. They stank to high heaven of BO and booze, never a good sign.

One of the grizzled men laughed. “Who isn’t?”

He grabbed his crotch with one hand while taking a hit on his cigarette with the other. The other two chuckled. The way they viewed her like a piece of meat sickened him. “You seen her lately?”

“Why?”

“Have you?” Noah asked again.

The smiles and chuckles faded. The one with a thick black beard and yellowed fingertips took a step toward him, wagginghis finger. “You know… you look a lot like that cop that was murdered recently. You remember that Reg?” he asked without looking at his pal.

“I sure do, Wes.” Reg shifted from one foot to the next, a sneer forming.

“That’s because I’m his brother.”

“You a cop too?”

“Look, have you seen Trinity or not?” Noah asked, growing impatient.

The guy snorted. “As if I would tell you.” He spat near Noah’s foot. “Pig!”

They turned to walk away and as they did, he heard one of them say, “Got what he deserved that night.”

“What did you say?” Noah asked, turning back toward him.