Eileen Slovak

Chapter Sixty-six: When Graffiti is Art       

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, and locales are products of the author’s imagination. They are used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is coincidental. Copyright © 2024 by Eileen Slovak.

Scott

For lack of anywhere better to be, I’m back on my bar stool at the Un Pub. I bought myself more time with the Campbell’s, but my head is no longer on the case. I’ve been staking out the professor’s apartment. Trish is staying there again this weekend.

      The phone rings. I watch Corky pick it up on the first ring.

      “Hey Scarlet,” she says loud enough for my benefit. “Who uses acrylic paint? If this is a knock-knock joke you started out all wrong.” She looks at me while I unabashedly eavesdrop.

      “I mean you have your die-hard types who still use oils, but acrylic is pretty standard. Yeah, okay, no problem.” She tucks the cordless phone between her ear and shoulder while mixing a martini.

      Jake comes in and sits down next to me.

      “How’s it going, buddy?”

      “I’m surviving. How about you Jake?”

      “Hey Corky. Tell Scarlet I took care of that little errand for her.” He looks at me, “or maybe you can tell her?”

      Corky looks at Jake shaking her head.

      “What errand?”

      “Nothing, dude, forget it.”

      “Scar, Jake took care of that thing we discussed about the Professor. Mission accomplished. What’s the deal with the paint? No, it’s dead quiet here. You should come down after you go to your sisters. Uh-huh. Okay, so maybe we’ll see you later, then?”

      “I thought you gave up matchmaking,” I say. I put my hand in my pocket and find the sticky note from Trish’s trash bag stuck to Serena Jacobs business card. Looking at the numbers on the sticky note, I make a startling realization.

      “Corky, did I hear right? Did you say the paint on Scarlet’s car was acrylic?” I ask.

      “Yeah, that’s what she said. Weird, huh?”

      “Is she coming here?”

      “I don’t know. She said she might go home. She usually goes to Catherine’s on Friday nights but she’s thinking about canceling.” Corky says.

      “What’s this other thing?” I ask looking from Corky to Jake. They look at one another.

      “Look, I’m not being nosy. Scarlet could still be in trouble.”

      “Sean’s ex-girlfriend Trish despises Scarlet. She’s been giving her a hard time. Trish is going out with one of my professors. I gave him a tip off, that’s all.” Jake says.

      “Patricia Iannuccilli?” Scott asks.

      “Yeah, that’s her. Do you know her?” Corky asks.

      I feel like I’ve been punched in the gut.

      “You told the professor this today?”

      “Yeah, why?” Jake asked.

      “I’ll see you guys later. Corky, if she comes here, please tell her not to go home.”

      “Sure,” she answers confused.

      I run out of the bar to my truck, trying to call Scarlet but there’s no answer. I call Gary to leave a message, and pull my gun out the glove compartment. I only hope I can head Scarlet off.