Part 25 (2/2)
Kiku sat up and stretched. ”Should I leave you two alone?”
Replacement popped up a little in her seat and turned crimson.
Jack turned around.
”Sorry. We were trying to be quiet,” Jack said.
Kiku rocked her head back and forth before she looked up. ”Your plan is sound. Would you mind if I take a quick shower?” Kiku asked.
Jack shrugged. ”Sure. We have time.”
Kiku slipped off the couch, grinning wickedly. ”When Alice takes her shower I, too, would like a backrub.”
Replacement huffed, Jack blushed, and Kiku strolled into the bedroom.
Like a puppy with a shotgun Jack parked in front of Joe Davenport's two-story colonial. He smiled at the collection of boats in the side yard, five in all. They were all freshwater vessels, which ranged from two beauties on trailers to a one-man, flat bottom canoe. Joe was an avid fisherman, and the closer he came to retirement, the more time he spent with a rod in his hand.
Jack walked up the flagstone walkway to the white front door. As he reached for the bell, the door opened. Bonnie Davenport had a grin from ear to ear as she reached out to hug Jack. She was in her early sixties with short gray hair. She wore a flowered dress with an ap.r.o.n tied around her waist. She leaned back, and Jack smiled, too.
Bonnie had beautiful, welcoming eyes, and her thick gla.s.ses made them even bigger. Both her hands squeezed his shoulders as she looked him up and down like a mother inspecting a child, trying to determine his needs. After a moment, seeming satisfied with her appraisal, she said in a light, high voice, ”How have you been, Jack?”
”I'm good, Bonnie.”
Jack had only met the woman a few times at police functions, but she always greeted him like a friend.
”Joe's fis.h.i.+ng.” She smiled and tilted her head to the side. ”Canada, again. His brother called and told him the fish were jumping into the boat. He practically ran out the door.”
That guy has more vacation time than anyone I know.
”Do you know when he'll be back?”
”Tonight. It shouldn't be too late.” She leaned in and whispered, ”I'm making him a pecan pie.”
Jack whispered back, ”I won't tell him,” and winked.
He wanted to add ”if he's in Canada, we don't have to whisper,” but Bonnie's smile was so sweet it derailed his sarcasm.
She clapped her hands together. ”It's been his favorite since he was a little boy. Should I give him a message?”
”No. Thanks, Bonnie. I'll just call.”
She hugged him again before Jack waved and hurried back to the car.
He started to dial as he slid into the driver's seat.
”I knew it,” he muttered when Joe's voicemail kicked in. ”You'd think a guy who goes to Canada to fish would get a phone that gets reception up there.”
”Are you kidding?” Replacement put her feet on the dashboard. ”He probably went out of his way to get a phone plan that had the worst reception in Canada.”
”She is correct.” Kiku leaned forward. ”What fisherman wants to be interrupted?”
Jack frowned as he pulled out.
”It would be nice if he was a detective first and a fisherman second.”
”Skylar Boyce lives at 18 Winston.” Replacement picked up her smartphone.
”I know where it is.” Jack took the first right, also checking the rearview mirror.
”We are not being followed.” Kiku sat back in the seat and folded her arms.
They rode in silence for a moment before Replacement turned around to look at Kiku. ”Is that where you learned these things? In the Yakuza?”
Kiku nodded.
”Were you born in j.a.pan?”
”No. I am half Korean. I was born in Korea but raised in an orphanage.”
”Did you move to j.a.pan when you were adopted?”
Kiku exhaled and then looked down at her hands. ”In a manner of speaking, but that would be the sterilized version. A truer telling would be the couple who ran the orphanage was beaten nearly to death because they couldn't pay the bribes necessary to stay open. They were driven out of the country. As a result, I was sold and s.h.i.+pped to j.a.pan for delivery like cattle.”
Jack had angled the rearview mirror so he could look at Kiku, but she didn't flinch as she retold her story. If anything, her eyes became brighter and wider. He turned back to driving. Jack knew well the emotions behind the look. He didn't run from pain and neither did she. They both ran forward and embraced it.
”Sold?” Replacement's voice was a mixture of puzzlement and anger.
Kiku nodded.
The Impala's engine whined as Jack over-accelerated. He slowed down and took a left.
”I did not make it to my destination, fortunately. I was meant to be a prost.i.tute, but instead I was selected to be...a courier.”
Replacement shook her head. ”A courier?”
”I was selected to work imports and exports.”
Replacement looked at Jack.
”They used her as a mule.” Jack's voice was low. ”They like to use women and kids to smuggle things.”
”I prefer 'courier,'” Kiku continued. ”My demeanor was a good fit for transporting items through customs. There was a need, and I was capable. I excelled and was rewarded.”
”What's that pay?” Replacement now knelt on the seat, completely turned around.
”Not enough, kid. Turn around.” Jack shot Replacement a look.
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