Page 101 of Triggered By Love
“Yes, and he lived in the same building with Joselito and the other models.”
“If he and Joselito knew each other, he never introduced him to me. Maybe they didn’t like each other?”
“Or Ernesto was in a gang. Did Joselito mention anything about gang activity?”
“Not to my knowledge,” Popo said. “Everyone can tell what a gang member looks like. This boy doesn’t look like one. He looks like a mama’s boy. None of the attitude and swagger.”
“Looks can be deceiving. The official report concluded it was gang initiation, but I’m not buying it. None of the gangs have taken credit, and the venue isn’t typical. Plus, he acted alone.” Jason had to concede the man hadn’t looked confident enough to be a hitman. He’d been sweaty and nervous, and too jumpy, thus drawing Jason’s attention to him.
“Where did he work?” Popo asked. “He looks like a recent immigrant.”
“He was a busboy at The Sting in Soho.”
Popo pushed the picture back at Jason. “Then he gets tipped well, I’m guessing, and he’s rubbed shoulders with the fashion crowd. Maybe someone there hired him to do the hit.”
Interesting theory. The Soho district was close to the Garment District and many models and designers hung out there, as well as artsy types.
Jason lifted his coffee mug and sipped, nodding. “You know you’re brilliant? We completely missed the client mix at the bar.”
Popo picked out the print of Joselito in the circle of models. “May I have a copy of this picture? My sister and I would love it if you can give us pictures of him at the show and any you find.”
“Sure, keep this one,” Jason said. “I can print out another copy. Thanks for the tip and the coffee.”
“If Joselito was murdered, please let me know straight out,” Popo said. “I want the jerk who did it brought to justice.”
For her sake, he hoped Joselito wasn’t killed because he’d worked with the killer. But now, it looked more than likely that Ernesto had not acted alone.
“That’s what I aim to do,” Jason said firmly. “Find out exactly what happened to Garm, Hugh, and Joselito. I don’t believe they overdosed accidentally, and I’m not going to let the killers get away.”
Popo clasped her hand over Jason’s. “I believe you. You’re a cop with a good heart. Most of them don’t think our people are important. After we identified his body, they washed their hands of it. Just another addict fallen into the river and drowned.”
“I care about all people as individuals,” Jason said. “No one should be brushed under a rug.”
And no evidence should have been kept from him. He was going to have a beatdown with Blade over this. Blade had been the lead officer in investigating Ernesto Gomez, since Jason was put on desk duty after firing his gun and killing the suspected shooter.
Blade had also failed to update him that the man found in the East River with the dragon collar had been identified.
What else was his partner keeping from him?
Suppressing his rising fury, he told Popo he had work to do and thanked her for her time.
“Oh, before I forget, here are two passes to the show.” Jason pulled out the two tickets Avery left on her table for Popo.
“Keep them,” Popo said, looking at the picture of Joselito in the circle of models. “I don’t think I can stomach going now. If you come across a picture that’s especially good, please let me have a copy.”
“I sure will.” Jason kissed Popo on both cheeks. “I’ll bring Avery back, too.”
“That young lady admires you. I can tell,” she said at the door. “She’s a keeper.”
With a wry smile tickling his lips, Jason jogged down the staircase and exited the alley gate.
A whiff of cologne was his only warning. Jason ducked, but not fast enough as a blur of a steel pipe slammed over his raised arm and shoulder. The blow glanced the side of his head, and he hit the other side against the brick wall.
Jason reached for his service revolver, but by the time he drew it, the assailant was gone. All he saw when he was ducking was the silver and black flash of the fancy cross-trainers with the serrated-edge soles and the mirrored finish on top.
* * *
“Remember,the show has to go on.” Alida’s voice grated every one of Avery’s nerves. “We put on a big campaign with Matt Swanson. The man with the golden arm is not going to be canceled. Not when we have The Garden reserved for this.”
