The Golden Years

Retirement

Edward Banks sat patiently on the stool at the bar in Serve and Protect, the popular watering hole for local police, fire and sundry other civil servants, listening to his retirement roast delivered with drunken gusto by long time partners and colleagues. Eddie, as he was known by all, had finished twenty-five years in homicide, reached the ripe old age of sixty-one, and put in his papers with no regrets.

Widowed, with three kids, all scattered across the country, Eddie was preparing mentally for some long, relaxing days in the sun, unbothered by anything except getting his next drink.

"And so we say a thankful goodbye to the old bastard who stole our lunches from the fridge, pawned off the cases he didn't want to work, and somehow managed to steal enough money to get the hell out. But," the speaker waved for silence. "In spite of all that, there never was a better cop to have by your side. I'm gonna miss you, partner."

A roar of cheers and laughter filled the bar as dozens of drink filled hands shot up in salute.

"Speech! Speech! C'mon, Eddie, give us those pearly wisdoms!"

In response, Eddie held out his partial bridge and smiled grotesquely.

"Oh Christ, did those come from the evidence room?" More laughter and jokes.

"Fellas," He replaced his device, stood and leaned on the bar. "I'm not going to get all maudlin here, that's just not me--"

"Ain't that the truth!"

"--careful, Ainsworth, or I'll tell your mother what you keep in that top drawer."

Immediately questions and laughing accusations exploded in the smoky room.

Eddie smiled, and downed the last of his drink then called for a moment's silence. "Guys, I'm outta here, and before I go I want to say thanks. Thanks for this," he waved a hand around, "and thanks for what you all meant to me, working some nasty cases together. Charlie, you deserve a better partner and now's your chance. Hard as I'll try, I won't be able to forget any of you, but those memories will fill a lot of quiet nights. Thanks again, and be careful out there."

A crowd of hands, back-slapped and hugged him through the bar and out to the street, accompanied by taunts and best wishes. As he made his way to his car, he felt the sting of impending tears, and he gave his eyes a rough wipe. The car was warm from sitting in the sun, and he cranked the windows, tipping his head back and closing his eyes.

Twenty-five years trotting all over this city, he thought, chasing bad guys. Cleaning up messes that turned his stomach. Seeing so many lives ruined and wasted, and sometimes getting justice for victims. He hauled in a deep breath and started the car.

"It's all behind you now, ex Detective Banks," he said aloud, steering into traffic and heading home. "What do you think, Ellie? Think my trip will give me a clean slate?" His eyes misted again as he thought of his wife, and he tried to laugh with one of their old jokes. "I know, don't forget to put on clean underwear."

******

"Mister Banks, welcome to Palm Sands Hotel. I have your reservation here, two weeks in a housekeeping unit facing the patio court. If you would just sign the book, I'll show you to the room and you can get settled in."

Eddie signed in, stretched his back and sighed. "Lookin' forward to this," he smiled. "Been a long time."

"Have you been here before?"

"Not here. Wife and I came a couple of times ages ago. Stayed more in town. Place called The Garden Court."

"Oh, yes. That was Muriel Stockton's place. She passed a number of years ago now. Bank took over and sold it. It's more of a small convention hotel now. The Desert Getaway it's called. So, is this a celebration visit?" The owner waved to a couple of guests.

"You could say that."

"Well I hope we can make it pleasant for you before you have to rush back to work."

Eddie smiled inwardly over the stock attempt to elicit information, a ploy he'd used himself many times.

"What's the water temperature?" Eddie looked at the pool, skipping the bait.

"We try and keep it at a steady eighty. The sun tends to bump it up during the day, but in the evening it's perfect." He stepped aside as the glass door slid open. "Here we are. You have the living room, kitchen off to the right, and over there the bedroom with en suite bath. TV, telephone, air conditioner, gas heater, our community magazine, and a bottle of wine for the two-week reservation."

"Perfect. Thanks . . .?"

"Oh - Jim. Jim Monasterio."

"I'm Eddie. Pleasure, Jim."

"Your key, and I'll leave you to settle in."

Eddie did a quick sweep of the interior then piled his bag on the bed and began unpacking. The closet held plenty of hangers and he duplicated the arrangement he had at home; shirts to the left, pants to the right. Shoes on the floor under the pants. Into the dresser went socks and underwear in their own drawer. T-shirts in another.

He smiled, thinking that two weeks' worth of clothing looked pretty skimpy compared to the trips with Ellie, but then there was a laundry time for guests. Changing from his travel clothes into lighter wear, he locked up and went to the hotel office.

"Everything alright, Mr. Banks?"

"Yeah, great. I just had a couple of questions. I want to rent a car, and your suggestion for some good eating places. I'm sure the ones I remember are probably gone."

"Right behind you on the rack. Menus from the best places in town. And there is an Enterprise rent-a-car three blocks down." A thumb over the shoulder confirmed the direction.

"Perfect. Thanks. May I borrow these?"

"Sure, just put them back when you're done."

As Eddie turned to open the door a woman came in and they almost collided.

"Ach! Sorry," he backed up. "Clumsy me."

"No, no. I wasn't looking either." She smiled, and they stood awkwardly for a moment.

"Gail, this is a new guest, Mr. Banks. This is Gail Amitov, one of Palm Sand's regulars."

"Eddie please, and pleased to meet you, Gail." Her handshake was soft and warm and it trailed slowly from his palm as she reciprocated.

"Okay, well, I'm off. Nice meeting you, and I'll have these back shortly."

"Oh, if you're looking for a great meal, you can't beat Anthony's Tavern." Gail gave him a bright smile.

"Thanks, I'll keep it in mind." He waved goodbye with the menus.

They watched from the office window as Eddie went back to his room, nothing about his behaviour raised any flags.

"What do you think?"

"He didn't tell me but when the reservation was made, I checked on him. He's a retired cop from Canada - newly retired."

"Coincidence?"

"Hell, Gail, I don't know. I can't imagine Canada having any interest in our business down here."

"I'll see if he turns up at Anthony's tonight. Meanwhile, you should give his room a look while he's out."

"You're starting to behave like Levit." His eyes flashed a tiny amusement.

"Better safe than sorry."