Trixsters Anonymous

p; My nerves immediately settle, and I lean back in my seat. “You heard from Jerry?”

“Yes, they are taking my car on Friday. I’m also getting the works, with a complete detail, tires rotated and aligned, chrome polish—everything,” she gushes, and I think back to Jerry’s face when I suggested, without argument, he take care of her.

“Glad to hear.”

“I guess I need to come down and press charges?”

“Nope, deal was no charges if he paid in full.”

She exhales loudly, and I wish like hell I could see her face. “Bummer… I wanted to have it on record.”

“I have it on record, and if he so much as looks at you wrong, you let me know.”

“What did you do?”

I think about his expression this morning when I mentioned Emerson’s name. He soon realized his threats didn’t intimidate me and his tactics were dead. Once I revealed that the misdemeanor charge would go on public record with the county and the court, he called her a useless cunt.

I may have stepped into his space a little too closely, causing him to fall backward.

He may have knocked his head on the corner of his desk hard enough to draw blood.

He may have then had me in his face with a look that dared him to say another thing about her.

He relented easily, knowing I wasn’t fucking around, and wrote a check with unsteady hands.

“Nothing. He saw the error of his ways and is ready to pay his dues.”

“Yeah right, but regardless, thank you again.”

“You’re welcome.”

“I owe you one.”

“No, you don’t.”

There’s a hesitation on the line before she speaks. “Well, I guess that’s it. Thank you again, Detective Scott.”

“Walker.”

“Huh?”

“Call me Walker.”

“Walker,” she says slowly with a little melody in her tone.

Damn if I don’t like the sound of it.

“I’ll call you Walker if you call me Emi.”

“Emi it is.”

There’s another pause on the line, and I wish like hell I didn’t have an audience.

“I’ll let you go. Hope to see you around, Walker.” She hangs up before I can respond, and I drop my phone to the desk.

“Emi, Emi, Emi…” I mutter under my breath, then shake my head. I’ve had three conversations with this woman, and she’s somehow managed to get under my skin.

I type her name into my database before reviewing the files on my desk.