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mad. Since we did not have a warrant and did not, in fact, have any business
here whatsoever that could remotely be considered officially sanctioned, I did
not think that getting mad was our best tactical maneuver.
Steban, I said before Deb could say anything regrettable.
Hah?
How long have you worked here?
He shrugged. Since the place open. I work at the old arena two year before
that.
So you were working here last week when they found the dead body on the
ice?
Stebanlooked away. Under his tan, his face turned green. He swallowed hard.
I never want to see something like that again, man, he said. Never.
I nodded with genuine synthetic sympathy. I really don't blame you, I said.
And that's why we're here,Steban .
He frowned. Wha' you mean?
I glanced at Deb to make sure she wasn't drawing a weapon or anything. She
glared at me with tight-lipped disapproval and tapped her foot, but she didn't
say anything.
Steban, I said, moving a little closer to the man and making my voice as
confidential and manly as I could, we think there's a chance that when you
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open those doors this morning, you might find the same kind of thing waiting
for you.
Shit! he exploded. I don' wantnothin ' to do with that.
Of course you don't.
Mecago endiezwith that shit, he said.
Exactly, I agreed. So why not let us take a peek first?Just to be sure.
He gaped at me for a moment, then at Deborah, who was still scowling a very
striking look for her, nicely set off by her uniform.
I could get in trouble, he said. Lose my job.
I smiled with authentic-looking sympathy. Or you could go inside and find a
stack of chopped-up arms and legs all by yourself.A lot more of them this
time.
Shit, he said again. I get in trouble, lose my job, huh? Why I should do
that, huh?
How about civic duty?
Come on, man, he said. Don't fuck with me. What do you care about if I
lose my job?
He did not actually hold out his hand, which I thought was very genteel, but
it was clear that he hoped for a small present to insulate him against the
possible loss of his job.Very reasonable, considering that this wasMiami . But
all I had was $5, and I really needed to get a cruller and a cup of coffee. So
I just nodded with manly understanding.
You're right, I said. We hoped you wouldn't have to see all the body
parts did I say there were quite a few this time? But I certainly don't want
you to lose your job. Sorry to bother you,Steban . Have a nice day! I smiled
at Deborah. Let's go, Officer. We should get back to the other scene and
search for the fingers.
Deborah was still scowling, but at least she had the native wit to play
along. She opened her car door as I cheerfully waved toSteban and climbed in.
Wait! Steban called. I glanced at him with an expression of polite interest.
I swear to God, I don'wanna find that shit ever again, he said. He looked at
me for a moment, perhaps hoping I would loosen up and hand him a fistful
ofKrugerands , but as I said, that cruller was weighing heavily on my mind and
I did not relent.Steban licked his lips, then turned away quickly and jammed a
key into the lock of the large double door. Go 'head. I wait out here.
If you're sure I said.
Come on, man, what you want from me? Go 'head!
I stood up and smiled at Deborah. He's sure, I said. She just shook her
head at me, a strange combination of little-sister exasperation and cop sour
humor. She walked around the car and led the way in through the door and I
followed.
Inside, the arena was cool and dark, which shouldn't have surprised me. It
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was, after all, a hockey rink early in the morning. No doubtSteban knew where
the light switch was, but he had not offered to tell us. Deb unsnapped the
large flashlight from her belt and swung the beam around the ice. I held my
breath as the light picked out one goalie's net, then the other. She swept
back around the perimeter one time, slowly, pausing once or twice, then back
to me.
Nothing, she said. Jack shit.
You sound disappointed.
She snorted at me and headed back out. I stayed in the middle of the rink,
feeling the cool radiate up off the ice, and thinking my happy thoughts.Or,
more precisely, not quitemy happy thoughts.
Because as Deb turned to go out I heard a small voice from somewhere over my
shoulder; a cool and dry chuckle, a familiar feather touch just under the
threshold of hearing.And as dear Deborah departed, I stood motionless there on
the ice, closed my eyes and listened to what my ancient friend had to say. It
was not much just a sub-whisper, a hint of unvocal, but I listened. I heard
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