THE DIXIE DETECTIVE AGENCY
CHAPTER FOUR
Dixie arrived at the scene shortly before the police arrived with one unmarked car and one squad, who used lights without sirens. There was no sign of Virginia or Georgia. Brandy and Sherry showed up and were surprised by the presence of the. “Get them,” Lieutenant Kent ordered and the two uniformed officers corralled the twins.
Dixie headed for the stairs. “Dixie, wait!” Kent ordered, but Dixie wouldn’t hear of it. She took the stairs two at a time, and brushed past the receptionist to gain entry. On entering the room, Dixie pulled the .25 caliber Barretta out of her handbag and pointed it at Gumm. “Don’t move!” she ordered.
Gumm didn’t resist. Lieutenant Kent came and took him into custody. Georgia and Virginia both breathed a sigh of relief as Dixie approached. Their gags were removed and Dixie went to work on the ropes. “Bag his match book as evidence,” Georgia said. “It’s from Skivvy’s.”
“Of course,” Dixie said.
“The fool,” Virginia said. “I had nothing on him until he grabbed me.”
“I’m just glad I got here in time.”
Once they were loose, Virginia and Georgia tried to get up. It was slow going but they soon were able to move around. Dixie hugged each one in turn. “I’m glad you’re all right,” she said.
Virginia and Georgia exchanged smiles. The four male detectives she employed tended to think of her a sort of an eccentric aunt. While Virginia and Georgia understood the men’s viewpoint, they knew it only to be partly so. Dixie doted on Virginia and Georgia like a mother hen, though not when any of the men were involved.
“You two look like you could use a rest,” Dixie said. “Go home, relax, take a load off your minds. Get back in the morning with clear heads.”
The two trudged back to their apartment. They had a couple chops in the freezer and there were plenty of ideal ingredients for a salad. All they needed to do was stop off on the way for potatoes. Once back at their apartment, they pulled the chops out of the freezer and ran them under hot water until they were somewhat defrosted. Once the chops were safely in the oven, they popped open a bottle of wine they both liked and sipped it on their balcony.
“This was your first time, wasn’t it,” Georgia said. “You certainly look that way.”
“Yes,” Virginia said. “But that time at Skivvy’s wasn’t yours, though.”
Georgia nodded. “I was once when I was apprenticing at my Dad’s firm in Baltimore. Of course I was wired as part of a sting, which made it easier to bear. Of course, I had the advantage of knowing Dixie was only the way.”
“Like you knew I was on the way at Skivvy’s.”
“Pretty much.”
“And we’re no closer to doing anything than we were when Dixie put us on this case.”
“Let’s forget about this until morning, like Dixie said. We need to clear our minds. Besides, some of that bunch might come up with something useful.”
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The two reported to the office the next morning and found some bad news. “You’ll have to make a formal statement to the police,” Dixie said. “You two are the only witnesses to the twins’ involvement. If you do it now, there can be a bond hearing in the afternoon.”
Virginia and Georgia reported to the police lock-up and identified Brandy and Sherry wine as the Gumm’s two accomplices. As they were about to leave, there were met by a woman in her mid-to late twenties and blonde hair done up in a bun. She wore a tan jacket with matching skirt and a cream colored blouse. “Are you Virginia Hamm and Georgia Peach?”
“We are,” Virginia said.
The woman displayed FBI credentials. “Special Agent Brooke Trout,” she said. “I understand you had a tough time of it last night.”
“There are thing we would rather have done,” Georgia said.
“Do you know anything about a place called Skivvy’s?”
“Only that it has a bunch of male strippers with cheesy dance routines,” Virginia said.
“Gumm had a matchbook from Skivvy’s,” on him last night,” Georgia said.
“Exactly,” Brooke said.
“We still need to find out who might have known Vivian,” Virginia said. “Who may have had contacted her, that sort of thing.”
“Also what about people who paint as a hobby?” Georgia asked. “People on The Hill or their families?”
“We’ve tried, but they seem very reluctant to talk,” Brooke said. “At least to us. All we can get is ‘he posed for me, that’s all I know.’ Some denied even knowing the woman’s name.”
“They’re afraid of scandal is the FBI is involved. That’s why you’re talking with us.”
“I’m afraid it is. That’s why Senator Hands has hired you, from what I can gather.”
“Perhaps Mr. Peters can shed some light on this,” Virginia said.
“Dick Peters?” Brooke wondered. “Senator Hands’ aide?”
“Yes. When Georgia mentioned ‘The Hill’ I got the idea she wasn’t talking about lawmakers.”
“You’re right,” Georgia said. “Sometimes the staffers are brighter than their bosses.”
“Good, I’ll meet you Skivvy’s tonight. Is eight a good time?”
“As good as any.”
“All right. I’ll see you then.” With that, Brooke left
Virginia pulled out her cell phone and called Peters. “What can I do for you?” he asked.
“I’m interested in many people on the Hill who are into art,” she replied. “Not as people who appreciate it, but those who paint or sculpt as a hobby.”
“That’s a tall order. Offhand all I can speak for is my wife.”
“Your wife?” Virginia was clearly stunned.
“Yes, she’s into painting,” Peters seemed embarrassed. “It never occurred to me. Perhaps she might know some people.”
“Good. We’ll see what we can dig up on our end.”
Virginia turned off the found and discussed the conversation with Georgia. From there they phoned Dixie at the office and told of their discussion with Brooke and the phone call with Peters.
“That’s an interesting development,” Dixie said. “I’ll make inquiries of my own. We’ll cover more ground that way. You two sure have a way of making things more interesting.”
“ Just another part of the job,” Georgia said and hung up.
“I’ll tell you one thing about this, Ginny, I’m not going to Skivvy’s again without carrying.” Georgia said.
“Neither am I,” Virginia said.
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Brooke took less time than she anticipated in getting to Skivvy’s. As a result, there was no sign of Virginia and Georgia. She needed to fit in, so she ambled up to the bar and waited patiently for service. All the while, she was looking for the two detectives. Finally, she reached the bar and one of the bartenders spoke with her. “Looking for somebody?” the woman asked.
“I was supposed to meet two friends, but I’m early.”
“My name is Tonya,” the woman said. “What can I get you?”
“Just a Coke, please.”
“Regular or Diet?”
“A real Coke.”
“Coming right up.”
Just then somebody brushed against Brooke. She turned to see who it was. Another patron apologized for the incidents and Brooke returned her attention to bar, where her drink was ready. She took her first sip. There was something out of the ordinary about it but she couldn’t place what it was and went back to her beverage.
After a while, she began to get a little light headed and woozy, before everything went blank.
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Virginia and Georgia were plagued by ungodly delays and just plain heavy traffic. Still, they reached Skivvy’s a little after eight and looked around. The show was just starting, but they looked around for Brooke. “No sign of her,” Virginia said.
“Let’s snoop around a bit,” Georgia suggested. “She might be doing the same.”
“Okay, but we stick together.”
The distraction caused by the floor show allowed them to slip back undetected. They found a door to a room that had hot been closed all the way. “You stand guard,” Georgia whispered and drew her weapon. “I’ll see what’s going on in here.”
She opened the door a bit more and heard “—should have ordered a stronger drink, Agent Trout. You confirmed my suspicions.”
Georgia flung open the door and saw Tonya Hyde towering over Brooke Trout. Brooke sat in a corner with her ankles bound and wrists secured behind her back. A piece of duct tape was over her mouth and, oddly enough, over the packet on her jacket. Tonya was surprised to see Georgia pointing the gun at her. “Do as I say,” Georgia said firmly.
“I suppose you want me to untie her,” Tonya said.
“My partner’s outside, so don’t try anything. Take a piece of tape from that roll on the desk and place it over your mouth.”
Tonya did as she was told, then followed Georgia’s instructions to the letter. First by putting her hands atop her head, then allowing her wrists to be secured by a piece of rope. Next, Georgia employed the duct tape. Not around the ankles, but by giving it many turns around Tonya’s calves. Finally Tonya was made to sit down.
Georgia was then able to try to release Brooke. She immediately discovered the agent was restrained with her own hand cuffs. Georgia pulled the tape from Brooke’s mouth in one quick motion. “Where’s the key?”
“In my pocket,” Brooke said.
Now the tape on the pocket made sense. It was to keep the key in the pocket. Once the key was out, Brooke was released.
Virginia stuck her head inside the door. “You two about ready?” she asked.
“I need to move around a bit,” Brooke said.
“It looks like there’s some kind of note on the desk,” Georgia said.
“Pick it up and take it with us,” Virginia said. “The sooner we’re out of here, the better.”