New York Detectives (Book 3)

Chapter 8

"I need to find Nathan Maiden." I said and she stopped walking and turned on her heel.
"Your bio father?" She asked and I nodded.
"He's been missing, so I'm here to help out." I said, looking around at the neat, apartment.
"Oh. Well, that's... Cool?" She said, uncertain about how to answer.
"I suppose it is. So, you're still a reporter, right?" I asked and she nodded.
"Have you done any reports on him? Recently, I mean." I said and she looked to the left, thinking.
"Not for a month, I believe." She said, going to a cabinet and opening the bottom one, looking at the different tapes.
"Yeah, I interviewed him last month. That's the earliest I've got." She said, standing up and knocking the drawer back into place with her foot. I nodded, clasping my hands together, threading my fingers together, except my index fingers. I placed my index fingers to my chin, lightly tapping. I started to pace, thinking for a moment.
"Hey, are you close to your co-workers?" I asked Sarah and she lifted her hand, shaking it as in a, "50-50" motion.
"Kinda. We all go out for drinks every other night." She said and I smirked.
"When's the next night out?" I asked and she grabbed her phone, pressing a button and the phone lit up.
"In four hours." She said and I clapped.
"Perfect. I'll need you to ask your friends if they've done any interviews with Nathan recently. If so, ask them about a general time area of the interview. If it's longer than two weeks, I'm not interested." I stated and Sarah nodded, writing down notes in her phone.
"Alright. If there is a goal scored, want me to call you?" She asked and I nodded excitedly.
"Pleas do. That'll help me so, so much! My phone number is still the same. I'll talk to you later, Hun." I smiled as I rushed out of Sarah's apartment, and as I walked down the hall, I thought of where to next. Just as I was about to decide on my next location, my phone rang. I dug it from my pocket and looked at the caller ID. I sighed and answered, holding the phone to my ear.
"This is Maiden." I stated.
"Hello, Des. Have you, um, made any progress yet?" I heard Lucie ask and I rolled my eyes.
"As of right now? No. There aren't any solid leads, Lucie. I'm sorry." I said and I heard her try and muffle a sob.
"But, I may be on my way to one. Is it alright if I stop by?" I asked, feeling a bit of sympathy for her.
"That would be nice." She said and I walked outside, starting to feel the chill of November.
"Alright. I'll be there in a bit." I stated and hung up, starting my walk to the other side of the city.
Hearing the honks, and echos of the honks on the buildings, doors slamming and opening, screams and yells and laughter, all the sounds of New York made me a bit happier. Walking the same streets that I used to made me smile as I could see the flashbacks in my mind. As I walked past a candy store, as I got to the better part of town, I could remember running here after school got out and buying the same chocolate bar. I slowed my walk and let out a breath as I turned around and walked back to the shop. I opened the door, feeling the warmth the shop had to offer. I smiled as I looked around.
"Hello, Hun. How's your day?" I heard a sweet and gentle voice ask and I smiled as I recognized the voice.
"Well, the weather is getting chillier as the sun gets lower. And as the sun gets lower the sky gets darker. And when the sky gets darker, that's when the little bat comes out to play." I said as I stepped into view of Mrs Viner. Her face lit up as she saw me and heard the little story we had created when I was about 15.
"To play before the winter comes and the bat has to sleep for a long time. Even during that time she's supposed to sleep, she leaves, playing in the snow. She would return to the cave before getting caught." She finished and I chuckled.
"It's been a long time since I've actually said that. " I said and Mrs Viner nodded, smiling happily as tears ran down her face.
"It's so good to see you again, Destiny! It's been too long!" She laughed and hugged me after she walked from behind the counter. I hugged her back.
"Well, haven't you grown into a fine, young bat!" She exclaimed as she took a step back, and examined me.
"You definitely got a lot taller. " She said and I chuckled.
"I swear, everytime I see you, you never age!" I exclaimed and she waved me off, going back behind the counter and sitting down.
"Thank you, Honey. Now, what can I get you?" She asked, smiling brightly and I shook my head.
"I'm actually supposed to be getting across town, but I was passing by, so I decided to come drop by for a quick "Hi"." I explained and she nodded.
"Ah, still the busy bat, I see. Now, get going. You better come back though! I'd like to meet your new man." She chuckled and I tilted my head, smirking at her.
"Oh, you'll definitely like him. He's a genius, like you." I stated and she smirked, looking at me and nodding.
"We'll see about it when I meet him." She winked and I chuckled as I waved.
"Tomorrow at noon, Mrs Viner. " I stated as I walked out and quickly waved a taxi down, hopping in and giving him the address.
"Ah, Mrs Viner. How's she doing?" The driver asked and I smiled.
"Oh, she's well." I stated and he nodded.
"I haven't brought my daughter in there for a long time. I'll have to take her, sometime." He said and I nodded.
"How old is she, if you don't mind me asking." I asked softly, knowing how New Yorkers could get if you offend them.
"She's about 7." He smiled and I chuckled.
"They're the best at that age." I said and he laughed.
"Besides her sassing, she's very tolerable!" He joked and I laughed.
"You have a kid of your own?" He asked and I nodded.
"Oh, how old?" He asked and I looked at my belly.
"Well, they're still in my belly." I smiled and he looked at me from the rearview mirror.
"Well, congratulations to you and the lucky man." He said and I smiled back at him as he pulled up.
"Thank you, sir." I said as I paid and tipped him, getting out of the car and walking up the pathway of the house. I knocked three times, waiting for Lucie to answer.