Chapter Five

Paulette said, “He put a little note in there.  It probably says what it’s about

It wasn’t easy for Asia.  She wanted to scream at Paulette to take it away and throw it in the garbage, but her friend didn’t deserve to be treated that way. 

After Asia had the bag in her hands, Paulette asked, “You gonna be okay, hon?”

“I’ll be okay. Thanks, Paulette, it was really nice of you to come all this way up here.”

Nodding, Paulette backed away, saying, “I didn’t mind, really.  You’re always so nice and, well – he asked real nice.”

I’m sure he did, Asia thought to herself.  Probably flashed a badge and gave Paulette orders.

When the door was shut and locked again, Asia was tempted to throw the whole thing into the trash.  The ice cream would have to poured down the sink though – otherwise it would melt all over  the trash.  With a defiant shrug, she dropped the bag in the sink.

Then, thinking scooping it out would be better, Asia removed the pint carton from the bag.  Her hand fluttered at her neck as she looked at the ice cream.  Haagan Daas, her favorite. And chocolate.  Damn cop!

There was a yellow sticker on the side of the carton.  Asia pried it loose, then found herself unfolding the note and stashing the ice cream in the freezer.

“Ms. Trent,” read the messy scrawls, “I figured you for a chocolate type of dame.”  Dame had been crossed out and, ”lady” was written in its place.

“Yeah, and I figured you figured you for an insensitive creep.”

Asia muttered, “Jewel”, my aunt Franny’s fanny!  More like Kryptonite!”

She vowed not take even the tiniest bite of the ice cream.  She turned on the television to watch Judge Judy.  She really wanted some ice cream, even if it came from a cop.  She held out until the half hour mark of her show and then found herself in front of the refrigerator with her favorite spoon.

Just then the phone rang, Asia was tempted to let it ring, she did that a lot.  As she picked up the phone, she heard Reggie ask if she could come in for a while the next day.  She explained that she had the dentist appointment the next afternoon, but would come in the morning.  Judge Judy was in top form and the ice cream was delicious.

Just as Asia was taking her bowl to the sink, there was a quick, loud knock on the door that startled her into dropping the dish into the sink with a crash.  A chip flew up, cutting her middle finger and causing blood to fly.  She quickly wrapped it in a paper towel and headed for the door.

Opening it with a nasty comment ready, Asia didn’t see anyone.  But when she turned to look up the hallway something caught her eye.  There by the wall was a mason jar with something red around it.  Picking up the jar, she was jolted to see it was her headband, tied around a toy tied to the jar.

Her mouth went suddenly dry as she examined the object. It was a toy COP…