Body Heat

Chapter 19 Excerpt:  Precious May

​“See you soon,” Zeno said, feeling relief and excitement as he hung up the phone, knowing his time with Travis would be uninterrupted and cherished very soon at the Palace Hotel with Abel away in New York until after Christmas.

This, however, was not the case for Precious May in her dimly lit living room on Leavenworth Street, with the heavy curtains drawn tightly against the afternoon sun, casting long shadows across the room. As though there were no tomorrow, she smoked a 4th cigarette and poured herself another whiskey. Her hands trembled slightly, betraying the storm of emotions raging inside her. With each sip, she felt a momentary escape from the weight of her worries, yet an undeniable sadness lingered in her eyes.

A clock on the mantle ticked steadily, the only sound in the otherwise silent room. The air was thick with the scent of stale smoke and the faint aroma of the whiskey she had just poured as she put the morning Chronicle aside, crossed her legs, and picked up the afternoon Examiner. She scanned the headlines for any mention of Terry but found none, as if nothing had happened. She took another sip of whiskey and was startled by a loud bang at the door, ending her solitude. She knew it would not be Ahab who had other plans. She would have to confront whatever or whoever awaited on the other side. Despite her anxiety, a small part of her hoped for some unexpected relief from her burdens.  She rose, opened the door slightly, and observed two men. The well-dressed Black man wore an olive-colored trench coat, while the white man’s was tan. They appeared official, with guns visible inside their grey suits. After presenting their police badges, she confirmed her identity as Precious May and invited both Inspector Kruse and Lieutenant Harris into the living room.
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At the same time, she fantasized that this handsome pair were new clients. Inspector Kruse with his caramel-colored skin had bushy eyebrows, a thin mustache, and was taller than Lt. Harris, who had black hair, freckles and blue eyes. Kruse's energy was intense and commanding, with a noticeable strength that drew her towards him. She imagined herself doing almost anything Inspector Kruse wanted and offered them a drink, knowing they would politely decline. The mention of alcohol broke the ice. They smiled kindly staring at her cleavage. This made her laugh out loud as she pulled the top of her blouse gently to cover one breast a little. Yes, she was nervous, her heart racing beneath her calm exterior. Precious knew the stakes were high; the consequences of her actions loomed large in her mind. Despite her outward composure, a knot of anxiety tightened in her stomach as she wondered just how much these officers knew of her involvement with Terry’s demise and whether her carefully constructed façade would hold.