Brooklyn's Song (13 page)

Chapter 48

Mattice was being very kind when he described Annette’s as a dive. Brooklyn thought when she entered the dimly lit bar and grill. The smell of sausage and peppers infused the air while classic rock blared from an old jukebox that sat in the corner. Some patrons were at the bar sipping drinks and staring at a small muted TV while diners in the restaurant section feasted on pasta and other offerings. Mattice stood and waved his hands, calling Song and Brooklyn when they walked in.

“Yo, Song, the party’s over here!” Mattice shouted, over the loud music.

Song held Brooklyn’s hand as they walked over to greet everyone. Two smaller tables were placed together to seat at least six.

“Hey, nice to see everyone,” Song said, “This is Brooklyn.”

Everyone introduced themselves. Song and Brooklyn took a seat next to Mattice and his girlfriend Gina; a curvy woman dressed in a pinstripe jumpsuit with hair pulled on top of her head in a ponytail. She wore large hoop earrings and a matching necklace with her name spelled out in gold letters.

A big burly man wearing a Harley Davidson T-shirt and a trucker hat said, “K-Pop, I didn’t think you were going to show up since I kicked your ass at darts the last time you were here.”

Song laughed. “Detective Skynyrd, no worries, I’ve been practicing every day, I’m sure I can take you now.”

The waitress came over and everyone placed their orders.

“Hey Skynyrd, any luck with that case?” Mattice asked.

Skynyrd gulped down his beer. “No, none of the victims saw the guys face. He grabbed them from behind and placed the chloroform rag over their mouths. We’re hoping that a surveillance camera somewhere may have picked something up.”

“Guys, no shop talk!” Gina said, “This is supposed to be a fun night out. So, Brooklyn, what do you do for a living? “

“I teach Kindergarten.”

“No offence, but you don’t look like a kindergarten teacher, “Skynyrd said.

Skynyrd’s wife, a forty something blonde in a fuchsia dress with matching lipstick, punched him in the arm. “I swear, I can’t take you anywhere,” she said. “Sorry Brooklyn, he doesn’t get out much.”

Brooklyn laughed. “It’s alright.”

“Excuse us, they’re playing our song.”Skynyrd’s wife grabbed her husband by the tie and he followed behind her like a little puppy on a leash. They stood near the jukebox and swayed to the music on the small hardwood dance floor.

Brooklyn took a sip of wine. “Gina, what do you do for a living?”

Before she could answer, Mattice jumped in. “She shops, and shops and shops.”

Gina kissed him on the cheek. “I’m just trying to look good for my man.” She laughed. “Other than shopping, I work for the DMV. “

“Come on Song, let’s warm up, so you won’t get your ass handed to you again by Skynyrd,” Mattice said.

Song looked at Brooklyn. “Do you mind?”

“No, of course not, have fun.”

Song leaned down and gave her kiss before taking off with Mattice. Gina smiled watching Song and Mattice walking over to the dart board.

“You got yourself one of the good ones,” Gina said.

Brooklyn grinned. “He’s not so bad.”

“I haven’t seen him this happy in awhile. It’s probably been about six years now. I knew Song before I met Mattice; I was a dispatcher at the station. She took a sip from her beer bottle. “I’m the one who sent him out on the call when his wife was killed. Her eyes clouded over with tears. “I’ve never seen someone fall apart like that before.” She tried to regain her composure. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t be telling you this, but he’s so happy now, I can see it in his face.”

Brooklyn wasn’t sure how to respond, she just said, “I can imagine how difficult that was for him; I lost my mom when I was younger. The pain remains, but if we’re lucky, we learn to push through it. Song makes me happy too.”

Gina reached and patted Brooklyn’s hand. “I’m glad he found you.” 

“That’s what I’m talking about!” Mattice shouted. Song held his arms in the air proclaiming victory. He smiled with pride staring at the dart he just threw that landed in the bull’s-eye.

Skynyrd let out a boisterous laugh. “The night is still young! I’ll get you on the next round.”

After eating dinner and having a few more drinks, Song beckoned Brooklyn to the dance floor.

He placed her hand over his heart and pulled her close. Song looked into Brooklyn’s eyes and there was so much he wanted to say to her. There’s no doubt about it, I’m in love, he thought.

It was at that moment when Song decided to continue the investigation, turn the findings over to Lieutenant Phillips and ask her to appoint another detective to the case.

“What are you thinking about?” Brooklyn whispered.

Song smiled and then touched his lips to hers. Brooklyn rested her head against Song’s shoulder, closed her eyes and listened to Van Morrison sing about the Mystic.

Chapter 49

It was after midnight when Brooklyn and Song arrived back at her loft. They sat on the sofa, relaxing; sharing a pint of Ben & Jerry’s Chunky Monkey.

“I really liked your friends,” Brooklyn said.

Song put a spoonful of ice cream in his mouth. “They liked you too. Some of the guys were wondering why a woman like you would want a man like me. They said, ‘Brooklyn’s private school and you’re public school; she’s Saks 5th Ave and you’re Walmart.’

“That’s something I had to fight against all my life; people think because my father is wealthy, I must be a pampered princess. Once they get to know me, they realize that couldn’t be further from the truth.”

“We both know they have a point. I’m not wealthy by any means; I can’t.... Give you the material things that a millionaire could buy.“

Annoyed, Brooklyn said, “Song, do you really think I care about that? Yes, I’ve dated a few trust fund babies; you know, guys with large bank accounts and even smaller brains. That kind of life just wasn’t for me. Besides, as long as you can get me a pizza every now and then, I’m content.”

Song laughed. “I think I can manage that.”

“Why does Skynyrd call you ‘K-Pop’”?

Song looked embarrassed. “I met Skynyrd at the academy. Even before he shook my hand or said hello, he told me ‘you’re too pretty to be a cop. You look like you belong in one of those K-pop bands.’ Once we had our time on the mat and I showed him I could take him down, we became friends.”

Brooklyn smiled, and stared at Song. “Yeah, I can see you in a boy band.”

“I can’t sing,” Song said.

“You don’t have to sing.” She took the spoon from his hand and placed it inside the ice cream carton, climbed on his lap and straddled him.

“All you have to do,” she whispered, “Is stand there and look pretty.” She began to kiss the side of his neck. Song unfastened the tiny diamond flag pinned to the sash of her dress. He gently pulled the sash and her dress opened. He could see her nipples pushing through the thin lace of the corset. Song delicately moved his tongue in a circular motion around each lace cup; sucking, teasing and arousing Brooklyn. She closed her eyes when she felt the sweltering heat from his mouth against her skin. She unsnapped the bottom of her corset and began to grind herself into him until she felt him harden against her. Brooklyn unfastened his belt. Song lifted her up with one hand and pulled his pants down with the other. Brooklyn reached to touch him; to stroke him, but he quickly grabbed her hand. He knew she would drive him over the edge.

“No, I’m… I’m too close,” he muttered.

Brooklyn smiled, reached down and fished the condom out of his pants pocket, opened it and rolled onto him. Song held her around the waist as she slowly lowered herself onto his lap. She gasped when he slid inside of her. She pressed her hands on the side of his face and kissed him. He felt her tongue slip between his lips, probing and exploring, her kiss was sweet, wet, and lustful. She moved up and down on his lap, bracing herself against the back of sofa. Their pace was slow and steady. Song pushed the straps of the corset aside and fully exposed her breasts. He gently caressed her nipples with his lips and tongue. Brooklyn began to move faster, forcing him to follow her lead.

Brooklyn held her head back and clasped her thighs. Song pulled her closer to him, moving faster, thrusting upward. He could feel her muscles gripping and squeezing him. He exploded inside her while she screamed his name so loud it startled him.

Brooklyn let out a breathy laugh and collapsed against Song’s shoulder.

Song stroked her hair. “I’ll have some explaining to do, if one of your neighbors called 9-11.”

She kissed him. “You can just show them your badge.”

Song laughed. “That’s what I’m afraid of. You think Skynyrd teases me now; if word got out about this…“

“Yeah, your nickname ‘K-Pop’ will take on a whole new meaning.”

They both started laughing.

Brooklyn stood, slipped her open dress off her shoulders and stepped out of her corset. Fully nude, she turned and walked towards the bathroom. “I’m hitting the shower; you’re more than welcome to join me.”

Song leaned his head back against the pillows on the sofa and watched her as she walked away. Damn! She’s beautiful, he thought. In the process of untying his shoes, he noticed her flag pin on the floor. He picked it up and placed it on the table, undressed and headed towards the bathroom.

After showering, Song lie in bed with Brooklyn with his arms wrapped around her. She rested her head against his chest. The room was completely silent except for the sound of the ceiling fan overhead. He could feel her eyelashes fluttering against his skin; he knew she was still awake.

“Ja-gi-ya,” he whispered, “What was your mom like?”

Brooklyn was silent for a moment. She answered him; her voice soft and melancholy.

“I don’t think anyone has ever asked me that. When my mom passed, my biggest fear was that I would forget her, you know, forget her smile, the sound of her laugh, her voice, and the way she smelled.“

Song felt the tears streaming down Brooklyn’s cheeks onto his chest. He stroked her hair and tightened his grip around her.

“My mom was fun. She liked celebrating and decorating the house for special occasions. She was the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen. She would always let me help pick out her jewelry when she was going to fancy dinners with my dad.” Brooklyn laughed. “One time, I think I was in first grade, I made her a choker out of macaroni and she wore it with her evening gown to meet some CEO bigwig. The last time I heard my mother’s voice, she was crying in her bedroom. The nanny took Jules and I to our aunt’s house and I never saw my mother alive again. I used to wonder why I wasn’t enough; why Jules and my dad weren’t enough to keep her here.”

“She sounds like she was a wonderful woman. I bet she would be so proud of you.”

Brooklyn remained quiet and just listened.

“I met my late wife Ji-Hye at my sister’s birthday party. We dated for a few years and then got married. She was soft spoken, kind, caring and beautiful. We were thinking about starting a family after I made detective….”

Brooklyn kissed Songs chest and touched the gold chain around his neck with the two rings.

“Is that her ring?”

“Yes.”

Brooklyn knew it was silly, but she had given Song so much of herself, shared so much, and knew she was in love with him, but couldn’t help but wonder if she could ever measure up.

“Excuse me; I’m going to get a drink.” She got up and grabbed his shirt off her nightstand and walked barefoot into the kitchen.

Song felt her tense just a little when she asked him about the rings. He slipped his boxers on and followed her into the kitchen. She stood with her back against the countertop sipping from a water bottle. His eyes met hers and he could see the tears shinning in them.

“Hey, I’m sorry; I didn’t mean to upset you.”

She sat the water bottle on the counter and brushed her hair back. “I know I’ll never take her place; I just want to know I mean something to you.”

He wanted to tell her that he was in love with her, but he couldn’t just yet.

He reached and held her hands in his. “Brooklyn, you mean so much to me, I haven’t been this happy in awhile. I like waking up next to you, feeling your soft skin, smelling the scent of your perfume and hearing your little snores when you’re in a deep sleep.”

She gasped! “I don’t snore.”

He stepped closer and kissed her. “You snore like a foghorn.”

“No way!” she shouted.

Song chuckled. “Hey, don’t get me started on that little bit of drool.”

She threw her hands up and shouted, “That’s it Song. Don’t say anything else.”

He wrapped his arms around her and looked into her eyes. Okay, you don’t snore and you don’t drool,” he said, “I just wanted to see that smile.”

Chapter 50

Brooklyn was still asleep when Song left to meet Mattice at Jerry’s apartment. Song left her a note telling her he would call her later. As he drove, he thought about what she said, ‘…I just want to mean something to you.’

Mattice was talking to the landlady, Mrs. Angelo, when Song pulled up in front of the apartment. He exited the Taurus and walked across the lawn to the front stairs.

“What’s up Song? Mrs. Angelo made us some pizzelles.”

“That was very sweet of you, Mrs. Angelo; thank you so much.”

She smiled, reached and pinched Song on the cheek and said, “Sei così bello (You are so handsome).”

Mattice looked confused. Mrs. Angelo laughed. “I say you are very handsome man, Detective Kai.”

“Grazie bella, signora (Thank you, lovely lady),” Song replied.

Mrs. Angelo blushed. “Very good, you speak Italian.” She patted Songs cheek, and handed him the key to Jerry’s apartment. “Just leave it in the mail slot when you finish.”

Mattice smiled, watching Mrs. Angelo walk away. “Now that you’re finished flirting with the landlady, can we get inside the apartment?”

Song unlocked the door and they stepped inside.

“I wasn’t flirting; she’s a nice lady who made us cookies.”

The apartment was eerily quiet and the air was stagnant and stale. Black fingerprint dust covered the end table and the window ledge. Song scanned the room.

“What exactly are we looking for?” Mattice asked.

“I don’t know; something that will tie Jerry to the governor.”

Mattice looked through a stack of mail that sat on the table. “Song, the FBI and every law enforcement agency has turned this apartment upside down. I don’t think we’re going to find anything.”

“You never know; they may have overlooked something.”

Song walked into the bedroom and checked beneath the mattress and the bed. He found a few empty boxes of cigarettes and a few crushed beer cans. Song searched the nightstand and the small dresser; both were empty. He walked out of the bedroom and squatted down as he looked beneath the cushion on chair. There was some loose change, a cough drop and a few dust bunnies. Wearing his latex gloves, he stuck his hand down in the corners of the chair. It was empty. Song sat down in the chair and looked around the room.

“Mattice, when you’re chilling, watching TV in your recliner, are you sitting upright or do you have your feet propped up in the reclined position?”

“I like to have my feet up reclining….Maybe enjoy a few cold ones, watch a little-“

“Okay, Mattice,” Song said, cutting him off, “I remember there was a can of beer sitting on the end table, right there.” He pointed to the end table next to the chair.

Song pulled the lever back on the recliner, twisted himself around and slid out of out of the chair sideways; leaving it in the reclined position. He looked down through the gap in the chair and saw the dingy brown carpet, but he also saw something else…A small diamond encrusted flag pin was on the floor buried in the pile of the carpet. Song reached down and picked it up. His heart sank; it was an identical pin to the one Brooklyn was wearing last night.