Chapter 3 – Tuesday Troubles

I thought it was Tuesday when I got up, but somehow Tuesday had passed me by and I was now staring at the cold reality of Wednesday.  My behind was drafty and it took me a while to realize just where I was and what had happened to that twenty-four hour period of my life, but then I remembered… I almost didn’t have a Wednesday, or any future Wednesdays to complain about.  Just thinkin’ about Tuesday gave me a headache so I yelled for aspirin.  The nurse came, gave me the aspirin, and discharged me.  She sent me home, but I was bound for the office.  Some private dick I was… How could I face today when I had almost lost everything yesterday…

Week 8 Blurb from the Joe Diamond Detective Agency

Tuesday started out just like any other Tuesday at the office.  The hangover that was Monday was gone, but I still had four days to go in another empty week and not a lot of work to keep me occupied.  Shirley, my secretary was early for once.  She was high on life for some reason, and her cheery disposition annoyed me.  “Coffee.  Black.  Keep it coming,” I growled.  She sang softly as she put the pot on and wiped off the cheesy mess by the burner from another day’s lunch.  She had even stocked the fridge with cream for my coffee, the way I like it, and I didn’t know the fridge was working.  I hope she hadn’t paid to get it fixed, money was flowing around here like water in the Sahara.  The devil had been playing a game with my business and he was winning.  I couldn’t even afford to keep Shirley, and she knew this, but she still showed up every day anyway.  Dames.  I guess she has nowhere else to go.   How could she be flyin’ like that when I felt like a pack of angry dogs.  The woman’s got heart, but I question her wisdom.

She gave me the coffee, cream and all, and that’s when it happened.  Red burst into the office with some other low-life.  I had sent Red and Sven to jail two years ago, but I guess they had gotten out and Red wanted to pay me a visit.  I instinctively reached for my gun that was taped under my desk, but he had his already drawn.  Shirley screamed.  I was invited to stand up without my gun.

“Where’s Sven Red?”

“Run over.  He’s looking foreword to rooming with you at County General.”

“Send him my regrets.  I’m not planning a visit.  Who’s your friend?”

“My cell mate Matt.”

“So, you still hang out with prisoners I see.  I guess you always have.  Scum never changes its color.”

“Hey, who has the gun here?…  At least I have friends.”

“Is that the best you can come up with?  How about some coffee?  Shirley, coffee for my friends.”

Shirley knew what I was thinkin’ and threw the pot at Red to distract him.  Red had seen this trick before, and the pot missed him entirely.  Matt too for that matter.  Shirley threw like a girl, which of course she was.  Red went for Shirley, I went for Red, and that’s when it happened.  Matt hit me from behind.  It was lights out.  Sleepy-time for Joe.

The next thing I remember I was waking up at County General in a fog.  I thought I was seein’ angels, which meant that I was still alive.  If I was dead, things would be a lot darker and a lot hotter.  That angel was Shirley holdin’ my hand.

“What happened?”

“By beau came.  I wanted you to meet him.  He’s a boxer.  He took out those two thugs and got you here”

“Where’s he now?”

“Down at police headquarters.  Seems those Red and Matt broke parole.”

“Thanks”

“Don’t mention it, boss.  Why don’t you take tomorrow off.”

I thought that was a good idea. Must have been the morphine.

Before I lapsed back into sleep, I inquired about Sven, but he was already making his Chicago connection.  He wasn’t hurt that bad and maybe he’d soon come gunning for me.  I’ll be prepared.  Everything was a blur after that.

Today was gonna be better.  I could feel it.  After yesterday, what could be worse.  Maybe I’ll make Shirley some coffee today, if she doesn’t let it get to her head… Dames.  Sometimes they’re alright.

Commissioner

Joe Diamond