Page 33 of Ride the Lightning
“G-g-good morning, Jonah,” she said, fidgeting in her seat and offering a nervous smile.
“Get him out here, Mary,” Jonah replied in response.
Mary didn’t ask which “him” he had referred to. She picked up her phone and dialed an extension while winding her pearl necklace around a finger. “Mr. Trexler, Agent St. John would like to speak—” Mary’s gaze jerked up to Jonah’s, and her pearl-winding halted. “Yes, sir. I’ll tell him.” She hung up the phone and grimaced. “He’ll be here soon.”
Trexler took his sweet time meeting Jonah in the lobby. “You had some nerve pulling a stunt like that, St. John,” Trexler snarled, his complexion was ruddy with anger. “Did you think the deputy director and I would overlook such a gross display of insubordination?”
“I had nothing to do with the article, sir,” Jonah said. It wasn’t a lie. They had agreed to discuss their next move, but Felix made a preemptive strike on his own.
A bark of dry laughter burst from Trexler. “How stupid do you think I am?” He held up his hand, showing his thumb and forefinger about an inch apart. “I’m this close to firing you outright, St. John. I would be well within my right.”
“How so?” Jonah asked. “You can’t prove I had anything to do with the article. I’m not named as a source, and I didn’t write it.”
“Your podcast butt-buddy did though.”
“Butt-buddy?” Jonah asked. “Why, Supervisory Agent Trexler, surely you know that kind of language isn’t acceptable in the workplace?”
Trexler’s complexion went from red to a deep shade of purple, and his veins protruded from his forehead and neck, pulsing angrily. “Don’t you turn this around on me, you arrogant prick. You’re suspended without pay for a week. Surrender your badge peacefully, or I’ll call security.”
Jonah worked hard to keep his cool. He refused to “Hulk out” and give Trexler more ammunition against him, so he unclipped his badge from his belt and extended it to his boss. He tightened his grip on it when Trexler moved to take the badge from him. “Stella is my personal property. I built her before I began working for the GBI, and the agency has no claims on her. If any of you so much as touch her—”
“No one is going to fondle your girlfriend,” Trexler said with condescension dripping from his tongue. Jonah could tell his boss wanted to say so much more. Maybe take another dig at his sexuality or call him a freak because he liked computers. It would be so easy to goad the man into telling Jonah what he really thought about him, which he could take to the deputy director. On the other hand, Mary raptly watched the exchange from her desk and could say Jonah had coerced or pushed Trexler.
With a week off work, he’d have plenty of time to dig deeper into Earl’s murder and Bo’s confession. So, he relinquished his grip on the badge, and said, “I’ll be back in a week to collect that, so take good care of it.” He smiled politely at the receptionist. “My apologies, Mary. I hope your day gets better.”
She smiled timidly and nodded.
Jonah left the building without another word. Jonah texted Avery, who wasn’t due in for another thirty minutes.
I was just given a week off without pay. I’ll explain later. Watch your back.
Then he sent a group text to Rocky and Felix, who immediately responded with apologies.
Nah. More time to solve this case.
Rocky sent him a thumbs-up emoji and Felix blew him kisses.
Jonah chuckled and dropped his phone in his cupholder, then drove to the corner market to pick up his weekly stash of Caramel Bugles. Mr. Ling didn’t question why Jonah was getting his weekly fix before nine in the morning instead of after six at night. He simply rang him up and handed over the goods, which was precisely what he needed.
A mid-eighties, red Cadillac convertible was parked in Marla’s driveway when Jonah arrived home. It belonged to Amos Charles, Marla’s on again-off again boyfriend. The top was up, the engine was still running, and he could see them inside talking. Anxious to see his friend, Jonah leaned casually against the side of his car and waited for them to wrap up their conversation instead of going directly inside.
Marla got out of the Cadillac a few minutes later. Her artfully applied cosmetics and big smile didn’t conceal her exhaustion. She still looked beautiful in a pale pink summer dress and matching pumps. She waved at Amos, who glared at Jonah before he backed down the driveway and sped away.
“I knew you’d do it, baby. I just knew.” She looked down at the white and black French bulldog sitting beside the suitcase at Marla’s feet. “Didn’t I tell you he would, Miss Betty?” The dog barked twice in reply. Marla looked at Jonah. “That means yes, darling. You better write it down and learn to speak Betty’s language.”
“Why don’t you come over to my place so I can fill you in on the latest news. I need your help to really get this investigation going,” Jonah said. He held up his canvas tote stuffed to the brim with Bugles. “I have sustenance.”
Marla’s eyes sparkled with mischief and purpose, eclipsing her fatigue. Feeling needed had a remarkable effect on the human spirit. “Do you also have bourbon?” she asked.
Jonah chuckled. “How about I make us some coffee, and we can pretend it’s heavily laced with bourbon?”
“Deal, darling.” Marla gestured to her luggage. “Be a dear and grab my valise, won’t you? I will not have my best lace, prettiest dresses, and sexiest shoes stolen while crime solving.”
“Sounds like you need a new costume for the caper.”
“I have many superqueer-o costumes in my closet already, baby,” she said, crossing the driveway with Betty close on her heels. “Do your business before we go inside the house, Miss Thing.”
“Are you talking to Betty or me?” Jonah asked.