Page 8 of Gypsy's Lady
“Heard you been making the rounds of the shelters.” Doug winced as the captain paused. “Again. The woman you’re looking for,shefamily?”
There it was, a lie he could spew,andthe man would latch onto it, giving Doug enough room to do what he needed to do.Can’t do it. “No, sir. She’s a good friend. My roommate.”
“Why would you thinkyour roommate would be in a homeless shelter?” The man sounded genuinely puzzled. “She’s got a goddamned apartment, right? Did you check the hospitals, too?”
“She was on the streets before she moved in with me. I thought she might go back to something familiar.” He had checked the hospitals. And morgues. Thankfully coming up as blank on those as he had the shelters. “I’m worried about her, sir.”
“On the streets? You’re risking your job for a fuckin’ hooker?” Doug’s spine snapped straightandhe lifted his chin, assuming an unconsciously aggressive posture. “You call in sick, you better be fuckin’ sick. Don’t make me write you up.”
“She’s not a hooker,sir.” Doug’s tone was just this side of disrespectfulandhe struggled to keep it from crossing that line. “She’s my friend, and I’m gonnakeep looking for her until I find her.”
“Tatum, don’t be a fool. Don’t fuck your life up over…someonelike that. You’re on the schedule for tomorrow, and you need to have your ass in my office first thing. We’ll have a conversation about what’s appropriate when it comes to time off.” Doug opened his mouth, but his captain filled the silence before he could. “We’ve got actual citizens who needour help. You are on duty for the councilman’s NewYear'sEve party as of now. That’s as close to a demotion as you want to get, Tatum.”
“Yes, sir.” Doug swallowed the words he wanted tosay,because the councilman in question was more corrupt than his captain, but he couldn’t let slip he knew either of those facts. His phone buzzed in his handandhe looked to see another call coming in. “I’llsee you tomorrow, sir.” Without waiting for aresponse,Doug disconnected and picked up the other call. “Hello?”
“Detective Tatum? This is Judy from the southside shelter. You were here earlier?” He recognized the voice; it was the woman with the kind face.
“Yes, I was. Have you seen Claudia?”
“Son,” her voice grew as soft as her expression had earlier, “you should come down. Hurry.” Judy tookan unsteady breath before she continued, “She’s in a bad way.”
