Felony Jones

Incomprehensible

"This is excellent Toshiro, thank you." Felony said, between quick bites. "You're welcome." He responded, getting up from the dining room table and walking into the kitchen. Felony loved Toshiro's light lunches. She loved them even more, when on the rare occasion they ate them together. Toshiro gently put some of the dishes in the sink, walked back over to the table and sat quietly for a moment. After several quick glances at Felony, he asked, "Have you solved your case yet?"

"No. I'm still trying to figure out who the good guys and bad guys are." She downed the rest of her iced tea, gently set the glass on the table, then clasped her hands together, tucking them up under her chin to prop up her head. She sighed. "I don't know what to think right now to be honest, Toshiro." She gave him a soft smile.

"You will solve it; you have the ability. I trust in you."

"Well, the only thing I know for sure at this moment, is that the butler didn't do it—and thanks for the encouragement."

"There is an old Japanese saying, "wake from death and return to life." That is what you will do, I am sure of it."

"I'm not sure what to make of that Toshiro—seems a bit over my head."

Toshiro smiled. "Turn a bad situation into a success."

"Okay, now I understand—I mean I understand the term, but I don't know if I can...you know what I mean?"

"I understand." Toshiro said with a giggle. Felony had never seen him do that before. Felony thought for a second. "Now, if only I could do that in my personal life, right? Turn a bad situation into a success, I mean..." She nervously laughed.

Toshiro stood up, smiled slyly and said, "Ten men, ten colors."

Felony mouthed his words to herself as Toshiro walked into the kitchen. "What does that mean?" She asked.

"You must figure it out on your own." He quickly responded.

"That's what it means? Or, I literally have to figure it out on my own?"

Toshiro smiled to himself, not saying a word. After a moment he said, "Come Jeff, it's time for a swim." The phone rang just as Toshiro was walking out the back door. Toshiro paused.

"Thank God..." Felony said as she got up quickly. "I'll get it." She didn't mind the distraction of a ringing phone. Toshiro swam in the nude and she had to be in the right frame of mind to see that. She wasn't in the mood today.

"Hello?...hi...uh-huh, uh-huh...wow, okay. So, he's there now? Okay then, I'm on my way—bye." It was David, they had a fingerprint match on the business card found with Billy Street's body—a match to Charlie Fortis. Felony was going to meet David at the police station. Charlie had been arrested and was about to be questioned. She hung up and popped her head out the back door just in time to see Toshiro bouncing up and down on the diving board. She paused momentarily, raising an eyebrow. No matter how many times she had seen him in the pool, nude, she had never really gotten used to it. "Toshiro, I'm leaving!" Toshiro waved a hand, acknowledging her. "That reminds me..." She muttered to herself, making a mental note to call the pool cleaning company later.

When Felony got off the elevator, David was standing outside the doorway of his office, waving her over. He led her inside and shut the door behind them. He sat down but Felony remained standing. "Why are we in here? Why aren't we watching the interview," She asked.

"They've released him..." David responded.

"What?!" David didn't answer her right away. He motioned for her to sit down. Felony reluctantly sat. "What's going on, David?!"

"He's been released on his own recognizance."

"How is that even possible? He's a murder suspect for Christs sake!"

"I know, I know—but he's—"

"But what?!" She interrupted. David sighed.

"This is coming straight from the top—the Mayor, Perdue. They said they would take full responsibility; I can't do anything about it."

"Really? You can't or won't?

"C'mon, that's not fair, you know it's not my call."

Felony looked away. She began fidgeting. "This is insane—It's bullshit."

"I'm sorry. Look, we'll figure this out."

"We?! I don't know who this we is that you're talking about...I'm not even sure whose side you're on right now to be honest!" She stood up, paced for a moment, then headed toward the door.

"Hang on, where are you going?" He said, clearly irritated.

"I'm leaving! I can't be here right now!" Felony walked out, slamming the door behind her. David got up quickly, opened the door and walked out into the main room several feet, then stopped. "Felony! Hey!" She ignored him and got on the elevator.