Slap Comics

Recap- “After an Inferno kills his mentor, A cartoonist investigates a crime that implicates his father. It leads him to his father’s partner and his assistant who tell him his father left town. The assistant tells him that Ray was involved with crime and she’s Ray’s Wife. He looks for the evidence. After he gets a message from his dad, they meet. Then his dad gives him some evidence, a damning photo”  

The photo stunned me into silence. A silence so quiet that it makes a rave sound like a library. Gino looks at me. “You know her, don’t you?” I nod. I tell him that she’s Vito’s assistant and more importantly Ray’s Wife. I didn’t tell him that I recognized the man in the photo as well. One of Gino’s partners’ thugs. Mr. Weightlifter Gloves. In the photo they were in an embrace in bed. It didn’t look like Ray’s bedroom. Maybe her place?  Maybe a motel? I didn’t know what to think. 

Gino got up and told me that he will call me if he found anything new. He advised me to do the same. I wasn’t sure what to do next, so I tried to pay my tab but found out from the bartender that a friend of Gino’s is a friend of this bar. On the house. I decided to go home and call it a night. I realized that my next move will be to ask Ellie about that photo and her relationship with Mr. Weightlifter Gloves. 

After good shower and a nap, I call Ellie and got no answer. My anxiety is running in overdrive with no brakes. After a few hours I get the call from Ellie. She asks to meet at the dinner at 10. Again, she was prompt and dress in a similar outfit. She had on Jeans and a t-shirt but this time a denim jacket. It’s been warm today. 

She gives me a look and I try to keep myself from salivating. Sexy. I shake it off and get down to business. I waste no time and show her the picture. She put her head down like she is about to cry but doesn’t. She shakes her head like she is ashamed. She raises her head, and her mouth opens. She says nothing but I can tell she wants to. Then she starts “Rob and I were in a relationship years ago. That is when this was taken. He’s been trying to blackmail me. I couldn’t prove that the photo was taken years ago or last week. I was afraid to lose Ray. I guess I lost Ray anyway.”  

She continued “I didn’t pay him a dime, so I guess to get me to himself he killed Ray.” I thought about it, I wasn’t sure if that fit the scenario, but I guess it’s as good as any theory at this point.  I asked her if Rob was in contact with her since Ray’s death. She said No but she was afraid that he may be following her. I asked if she got anything from the drive and she shook her head No. I told her that for her to alert me if there is anything I can do. I instantly think dirty thoughts and shake it off as fast as it comes to me. We both left, say our goodbyes and went on our separate ways. When she said goodbye, she kissed me full on the lips. “Thank you for everything” she got out after. I was taken back by the kiss. I could still taste the honey from her lips by the time I reached my apartment.

In front of my apartment was two detectives. One of them I met at the crime scene. Detective Rodgers. They saw me and walked over. “Well, Well, Well, if it isn’t Mr. Fire Investigator.” Rodgers is a smart ass. “You are going downtown with us you have a lot to answer for.”

I think I may need a lawyer.

To be Continued…