Oh Father!

"Sissy's Father is WHITE??"asked Sharon incredulously...

"You didn't know that? I guess you didn't...She doesn't bring it up much...Here is a photo of her and her mother..."said Angie showing Sharon a photo she had in her pocketbook..

of a young Sissy Van Buren....about 18 or 19 years old and her mother, Sirena Richardson...a beautiful Black woman...

"Her mom is gorgeous...Sissy looks just like her mother...I never knew she was Bi-Racial..

"Most people don't.. " said Duke..."I was floored when I found out.. Her dad wasn't in her life for years.. She just hooked up with him about three or four years ago...He lives in Little Norway with a Puerto Rican girl....They have a baby girl ,about 3 years old now.." said Duke..

"Well that's him running out of the park and untying himself...He was the hostage..Your second man..." said Sharon.

"You have to tell her."said Sharon...

"Tell Who What?" said Sissy ,who was entering the room, just as Dr. Hazel Baylor was entering also...

"Sissy I have something to tell you.."said Hazel...

"Wow!  Seems like everybody has something to tell me..."laughed Sissy...

Angie decided to go first...


"Sissy Honey...You know you're more than just my boss...You're my ace...My best friend in the whole world....."she said.

"This must be bad.." said Sissy...

Duke put his arms around Sissy...

"Siss...I owe you my career...Next to Hazel and Angie...I'd take a bullet for you....There is no easy way to tell you this....Look at the monitor....The second man running out of that park is...."said Duke..

"Your father Sissy? He was being held hostage by that Killer...He must have escaped during the commotion when the cops ironically showed up at a domestic violence scene, across the street.."said Sharon gently....

Sissy's eyes got as large as saucers...


"Oh My God...That is him!" she exclaimed..

"That's what I came to tell you Siss..I cross checked all of the fingerprints with the Police,State Police, FBI, Interpol and the DMV...Your dad had three DUI arrests over the years and was booked...His fingerprints are a match for the second person in that car....But then there is the matter of the DNA contained in the sweat on the back seat...Not a match for him or our victim..."said Hazel...

"Oh My God..What kind of trouble has he gotten himself into now?" asked Sissy to no one...All the while looking shocked.


II-

I just happened to walk in on the tail end of this conversation....I put my arms around Sissy, who was distraught...

''Siss...Your father is a survivor....He's a crafty man of the streets....I'm sure he's alright,at least for now...He escaped...That's the good news....Let the guys find him and bring him in...We can put him somewhere where he'll be safe....Safe from whoever this cold blooded killer is who is after him..."I said.

"Oh My God...Keith, he's a degenerate gambler...I wonder if he's in to any local juice men....You know ,when I found him after so many years....He was into a very vicious juice man." said Sissy...

''And Rico and I put those guys away with help from Kevin Morris.." said Jimmy...

Kevin Morris, The Private Investigator who had helped Sissy crack so many cases....He had helped her find her father...She thought about asking for his help now...She didn't like the thought of putting her detectives in harms way...But she knew now that they wouldn't hear of it...They wouldn't back off!

''Yeah Siss...and we'll put whoever this guy is away too, as soon as we catch him..."said Tyriq....

They had all seen the photo and heard the conversation...Just as I had..

"Knowing who he is now is important....The thing to do is find out, just what he'd gotten himself into..." said Carlotta..Who passed out assignments to the other detectives.

"Sirena...you and Hop take Aqua Bar....Rico ,Jimmy and I will Take Josies...and Duke, you and Angie take Stoleys....." she said..

''We're on it Lotta..Somebody had to have seen him and our murder victim." said Sirena...

"Maybe we'll get a scope of his face too....On one of their cameras.."said Hop...

"I can take Stoleys ,by myself....Duke, why don't you take City Hall?" said Angie...

''That's a good idea...I'm on my way now." said Duke....

"I need to be doing something..."said Sissy...

''I'm not a cop Siss, but you're too close to this...He's your father....What would you tell, Carlotta, Jimmy,Rico, Angie, Sirena,Tony or Duke if this was them?  You'd make them sit this one out..I know how you feel...but they're capable...very capable....And I'm helping...You have the full co-operation of the FBI on this...Let us take care of this." said Sharon..

''She's right Sissy...I swear..I'll do everything in my power to protect your father and to bring that girl's killer to justice...Whoever he is.."I said.

"Okay.....Alright...but all of you, keep me posted ....I don't care what time you call...Keep me posted."said Sissy.

III-

Josie's Bar and Grill, Where we all hung out and where everybody we knew hung out was packed as usual on this hot day...They had great Air Conditioning and Ice cold drinks...Was it any wonder?

I traveled with Carlotta, Tyriq, Jimmy and three uniformed officers to Josies...They were talking to Gus, the Owner and head Bartender at Josies...

"Awwww Damn...I heard about Odessa Harris...Yes, she worked here...I don't know how you guys didn't know her...She was a barmaid and a waitress....Damn good too...The customers loved her....Somebody killed her...I hope you get whoever did it? "said Gus.

"Was she working Last night?" asked Carlotta..

"No..she was off..but some guy did come in here lookin for her.."said Gus..

''You recognize him?" asked Tyriq..

''Nah, never seen him before...He had on sunglasses..even though it was night...and as hot as it was..He had on a slicker,like he was goin fishin or somethin and a big brim....I couldn't get a good look at his face..but I do know he was a white man...Deep gravelly voice.."said Gus..

Jimmy showed him the only photo we had of our mystery man....

"Was this the guy that was asking for her?" asked Jimmy...

''Yeah that's him...Can't make out his face....But I recognize that goofy hat and that slicker....And those leather gloves....He just looked like he was up to no good." said Gus..

''Could we look at your film footage from last night?" asked Carlotta...

''Sure...Shine, take em upstairs." said Gus.

"Gus ,I know you mind your business...But did Odessa have any enemies? You know ,women who were jealous of her? A spurned lover?" asked Tyriq..

"No, None of that...She mentioned that she had a boyfriend...A guy she met when she was working at The Sad Lady in Little Norway....And at Hush Puppies...she worked there too...That's how she knew Dutch Van Buren...Who plays here in the Liquid Love Band and sets in with the house band...They were very friendly."said Gus..

"How friendly?" asked Jimmy...

"Not that kind of friendly....Just good friends...Confidants....She recently told Dutch that this boyfriend was becoming too controlling and that she was going to break it off with him.." said Gus..

''Speaking of Dutch...Did he play here last night?"asked Carlotta.

''Nah...Dutch hasn't played here in two weeks." said Gus.

Shine walked Carlotta,Jimmy and Tyriq up to the monitor room...Gus looked at me...

"What's your pleasure Counselor?"

I laughed...

"Anything cold" I said.

IV-

Sirena and Hop were at Aqua Bar...along with two uniformed policemen..

Sirena showed the manager a photo of both Odessa Harris and Dutch Van Buren...

''Have you seen either of these people?" she asked...

''Why, they in trouble?" he asked..

''Well for one thing...She's dead!!! And this one here is missing." said Hop...

''Damnnnn...Well I'll tell you right now...Dutch Van Buren aint killed nobody...he's the nicest guy you'd ever want to meet.." said the Manager..

''We aren't looking for him for that...We think he's in danger....We have to find him." said Sirena...

"I've known Dutch for years...I used to go up in Little Norway to hear him play...Hush Puppies, the Sad Lady...and now Josies...Love him...and I know Odessa too...May she rest in peace...She and Dutch were the closest of friends...They used to come in here after his set was over in Josies...She liked to dance...Especially on Latin Night..Salsa night.."said the manager..

"Ouuu,I love Latin Night too...My Husband has brought me in here a bit.."said Sirena..

"I thought I recognized you...You're Rico's wife....!!" he said.

"Guilty as charged..."she laughed..

"Damn..Both of you are Detectives huh?? Wowwww." he said.

"So Dutch and Odessa would hang out in here after hours huh?" asked Hop...

"Yeah...They were good friends...He brought his woman and her in here a couple of weeks ago...but I haven't seen either one of them in weeks....but uh...some creepy lookin guy was in here last night lookin for Odessa..." he said.

Hop showed him the only photo we had of our mystery man...

''That's him...I never seen him before...He had on sunglasses..even though it was night...and as hot as it was..He had on a slicker,like he was goin fishin or somethin and a big brim....I couldn't get a good look at his face..but I do know he was a white guy...Deep gravelly voice..Scary as hell.He asked for her...and he waited about an hour, then he left...He had one drink..."said the manager...

''You got any film footage we can see?" asked Sirena.

"Sure...He's on there, but like I said...His face was hidden...You won't get much more than what you guys have.." he said.

V-

The Hipsters were out in Stoleys and Detective Angela Belton -Barlow was in the house....She had not, unlike the others taken any uniforms with her...She was here alone...She wished Duke was here or some uniforms...Not that she was afraid...but she was weary of being hit on by guys...Most of them a decade younger than her...

''Damn baby...I'm mature for my age...You need to give me a try...."said one..

"I'd love to let you teach me something..." said another...

Upon walking in , a Black Boho Hipster  type looked at Angie...

"You have the most beautiful eyes and you got a body like whoaaa..I just gotta sleep with you." he said.

 "Really Playa??Really??...Is that how you come on to your girls?" said Angie.

''Hey, I'm not a romantic type." he said.

"No, really?I would have never guessed" laughed Angie as she dismissed him and found the manager..

The manager was equally flirtatious..

"You're too sexy to be a cop.."he laughed...

Unlike the hipsters...The Manager was old enough to be Angie's Father...

She showed him her badge and her gun...as well as handcuffs.....

"Oh Wow...I guess you are..." he said..

"You know this guy?" she said showing him a photo of Dutch Van Buren...

"Yeahhh, who don't? That's Dutchie....He comes in here with his Baby Mama...A Puerto Rican girl young enough to be his daughter...No his grand-daughter....Dutch is a mess with the women...He has an older daughter..She's about your age...Had her some years ago with a Black woman....That damn Dutch..He loves women...But what straight man don't?" he laughed...

Angie showed him a photo of Odessa...In death!!!

His eyes got as large as saucers....

"Holy Crap...That broad was in here last night....Some guy come in here and they quarreled...It got pretty loud...and he grabbed by the arm and marched her out...I got it on film...You can see it...I think they knew each other...She called him uh Tarantula... I sure as hell hope his mother didn't name him that..."said the manager...

Angie showed him the grainy photo we had of the mystery man...

"Yeah...That's him..real scary lookin guy...I never seen him before...He had on sunglasses..even though it was night...and as hot as it was..He had on a slicker,like he was goin fishin or somethin and a big brim....I couldn't get a good look at his face..but I do know he was a white guy...Deep gravelly voice..Scary as hell...He came in, they started arguing and he snatched her up out of here.." he said.

"You didn't think to call the cops?" asked Angie..

"Do you know how often that type of thing happens in here? And then a few days later...both the guy and girl are back in here, arm and arm and smilin like nothin never happened?" He said.

Angie sighed...

VI-

Duke was not faring as well at City Hall....

He interviewed close to 78 people who worked in the motor pool and everybody who checked out a vehicle for the past few days....As well as half of city council and all of the Mayor's aides except for one...Edward Terrence...Who wasn't in today....Nobody knew Dutch...Or Odessa and nobody could make hide nor hair of the mysterious man in the Slicker...

While at Headquarters....Lt. Sissy Van Buren got a surprising visit....

''Siss, somebody is here to see you." said Sharon.

"Send them in." said Sissy...

"Hola Sissy." came the voice of  Selma Alvarez.....Sissy's father's Puerto Rican girlfriend and the mother of his second daughter...Selma was about a decade younger than Sissy...and had a daughter...Sissy's 3 year old half sister..Sharon and Hazel were playing with the little girl...

Sissy smiled and waved at her little sister...

"Selma...I have been meaning to visit you....What brings you here?" asked Sissy...

"Sissy...Your father has gotten himself in trouble...With a very dangerous man...A killer...Our lives are in danger...His friend Odessa is dead..!!!" she said.

"I know...I've got my guys out looking for him....and whoever killed Odessa...Do you know this man?" asked Sissy...

"Only that your father calls him ''Tarrantula'' and says that he is very dangerous...He called me early this morning..Scared out of his wits...He told me to get the baby and to find you...He said you would keep us safe." she said.

"Where is my father Selma..?"asked Sissy...

"I don't know...He wouldn't tell me...He told me to pack some bags...Take the baby and get out of that house..I did what he told me.." she said.

''Where did you park the car?" asked Sissy..

"In the garage, the indoor Garage..." she said.

"I know a place...A place where you'll be safe..Nobody will be able to get to you there...And I mean nobody...I'll drive you there..." said Sissy...

''You aren't safe either...This man...This man will kill you and your husband...He told your father if he doesn't give him what he wants...He'll kill his whole family...Me, the baby, You and your husband..."said Selma..

''What does he want? Money?" asked Sissy...

"No..It's not money...It's deeper than that...Dutchie wouldn't tell me...He said the less I know..the better...I made sure I wasn't followed here...I checked the car for GPS trackers..like Dutchie told me.." said Selma..

"Selma are you telling me everything?" asked Sissy...

''I'm telling you everything I know.." she said..

"Okay, come with me.."said Sissy, who loaded her pistol and put on her shoulder holster...

''Siss, Where you goin?" asked Sharon...

"Someplace safe..." she said scooping up her little sister and hugging her..."Call My husband...Tell him to pack a few bags...We are going to the safehouse.." she said.

''For how long?" asked Sharon...

"I don't know...Until this killer is caught....We'll be alright...I can keep in contact with you guys from there...I'll see you all when I can...Come on Selma..."said Sissy..

Selma got in the back seat of her car...Sissy took the keys...They strapped the baby into the car seat...

"Get down on the floor Selma...I don't want you to know the location of where we are going to go..." said Sissy...

Sissy drove to ''Copland" The Apartment Complex. the government seized from a now deceased gangster that we turned into a makeshift base of operations...Few people knew of it's existence...It was on a need to know basis..

"Wow...This place is nice Sissy...." said Selma...

''We use it for special operations..Special Investigations...and as a safe house...It's a secret place...It has a Kitchen and offices on the first floor ....and restored apartments upstairs...This is home for now..Nobody knows where you are....Where we are.."she said...

"Oh No? Well who are in all those cars coming down the street and parking in the driveway?" asked Selma..

"WHAT?" asked Sissy...

Sissy peered out the window and smiled weakly and shook her head....

"It's okay Selma..It's friends..."said Sissy...who opened the door....

''What are you guys doing here?" asked Sissy..

''You gonna let us in Siss?...I've got my luggage...and Sirena has got the kids..." said Tyriq..

"Shame on you thinking we were going to let you face this alone."said Sirena...who smiled..

"I am so hurt...Boss Lady...We are family...You trouble is our trouble."said Carlotta,I peeked my head around my wife...I was carrying Luggage too..

"Besides...We haven't all hung out in a minute..."I said.

"This isn't Summer Camp...There is real danger out there..." said Sissy...

''We know that...That's why we are here...With you.."said Duke...

"You gonna let us in or are we going to stand out here in all this heat?...Come on...I need some Air Conditioning..."said Angie..

"I second that." said Hazel..

''Which makes it unanimous." said Sharon.

"At any rate, you all beat my husband here and I called him first.." said Sissy...

''Wrong...He and Hop and I ordered some platters and we bought groceries...We figure we are gonna be here a few days." said Jimmy.

''Sorry we are a little late babes..."said her husband, Eddie C.

''I got weapons, vests and trauma plates in here..Duke and I made some calls...Tomorrow some of our most trusted guys from Tactical and the FBI will be here ,along with some plain clothes guys...We'll be in full operational mode."said Hop..

"These are your friends...I remember them.." said Selma...

''They're more than friends...They're my family...As are you Selma!" said Sissy, smiling as tears ran down her cheeks..

She wondered where her father was tonight...and if he was safe...

Oh Father ! She thought...What kind of trouble had you gotten yourself in now!


(TO BE CONTINUED)