The Body on Ortega Highway Read online

  “Yeah! I like all the psychology that goes into picking a jury.”

  “And you used to call me when you were reading the transcripts and ask me what different terms meant.”

  “And I would go to the Law Library and pester them about it, too.”

  “Do you ever think about being a paralegal anymore?”

  “Well…as a matter of fact…”

  Right at that moment, Ron walks into the house. He sees Charlotte and says, “I didn’t know you were coming up.”

  “Aren’t you glad to see me?”

  “Of course. I didn’t mean to be rude,” Ron says and walks over to hug her.

  Clarissa says, “She’s going to spend the night and then we’re going to the spa tomorrow.”

  “To Burke Williams?”

  “Yes. We were thinking about it.”

  “Are you sure they’ll let you back in?”

  Her cousin says, “What is he talking about?”

  “I’ll tell you later. Right now I have to go get dressed for my big ‘Par-Tay’.”

  *******

  The following morning, Clarissa and her cousin leave early to go to Burke Williams. If the receptionists recognize or remember what happened the last time Clarissa was there, they act like it is none of their business.

  While Clarissa and her cousin are sitting in the Jacuzzi, Clarissa tells her that she’s thinking of retiring and going to law school.

  “Hooray!!” her cousin says. “Do you realize how happy I am to hear this news! I’ve wanted you to do it for years. I got scared every time I heard that men were pointing guns at you. And that last time with John Smith, oh my God. Don’t even get me started on him.”

  “Yes. What happened with him was the last straw for me. He threatened Gumbo. I was a danger to my family.”

  “Oh, Clarissa I’m so happy. Finally. It’s what your mother wanted for you.”

  “Yes. And she left me a lot of money for law school which I haven’t touched. I’ve been feeling guilty about that lately.”

  “What does Ron think?”

  “It’s hard to say. He says that law enforcement needs good people like me, but he’s afraid from my safety, of course.”

  “When are you going to tell him that you’re retiring?”

  “After you leave tonight.”

  “He’s going to think it’s all my fault.”

  “No he won’t. I’ll make sure to tell him that the decision is totally my own. Besides, I think he already knows.”

  Chapter Nineteen

  Two weeks later, Clarissa is at her desk boxing up her belongings. The people in the department are planning a big retirement party for her and they’ve been whispering to each other all week.

  She thinks, ‘I hope they’re not planning on having a Chippendale’s dancer jumping out of a cake or anything lame like that.’ There is crepe paper strewn across the ceiling of their conference room and she sees a keg of beer being wheeled in.

  “Can they do that here?” she wonders. Then she notices some cases of champagne being unloaded.

  ‘Wow!’ she thinks. ‘People are going to get hammered tonight.’

  Most of the people she works with know that she likes music from the 1980’s, so a boom box is off in the distance playing Elvis Costello.

  The party is supposed to start at 5:00 PM. She’s still busy working at her desk, nowhere near being finished with all of the final paperwork she has to go through.

  “Lieutenant Harris peeks her head into Clarissa’s office and says, “Come on. The natives are getting restless.”

  “I’ll be right there. I promise.”

  Fifteen minutes later, she’s still busy at her desk, and can hear the volume of the music and laughter from her colleagues going up a notch. She hears a tap on her door and says, “I’m comin’.” When she looks up, she sees Ken Tanaka, the intern from UCI who helped her with her investigation of the priest who was murdered at the abbey.

  “Ken,” she says. “Hi. I wasn’t expecting to see you here.”

  “Are you kidding? What kind of guy would I be if I missed my mentor’s retirement party?”

  “Well, aren’t you sweet for coming! I’m really touched. Sit down. How have you been?”

  “Good. I’m getting close to graduating.”

  “Are you still going to UCI?”

  “Yes. And I’m still studying Criminal Justice.”

  “Great! What are your plans after graduation?”

  “I want to work in the D.A.’s office.”

  “My husband works there.”

  “I know.”

  “I’ll be sure to give you a letter of recommendation, Ken. I never would’ve solved that case without your knowledge of the different types of Japanese swords.”

  “Thanks!”

  Someone’s brought a Karaoke Machine and Clarissa can hear Raylene singing, “Girls Just Want to Have Fun.”

  “Wow! This is going to be a fun party,” Ken says.

  “I know. Go ahead: join the party. I’ve got a few last minute details to take care of and I’ll be there shortly.”

  “Awesome.”

  “Bye, Ken.”

  She’s still working fifteen minutes later when she hears, “Love Shack” by the B52’s, and wonders who’s trying to sing it. She gathers up her brief case and purse and tiptoes over to see what’s going on. She sees Lieutenant Harris and Raylene singing the ‘girl part’ of the song, and Ken Tanaka is doing ‘the guy part’. Clarissa softly laughs and continues tiptoeing out the front door and all the way into the parking garage. She feels on top of her game.

  ###

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