When she was back at her desk, she was once again aware of the other officers looking at her. She was sure there would be plenty of gossip and shared laughs at her expense when everyone’s shift was over. Wondering when that might be, Ava checked her watch and was shocked to see that, somehow, it was only 2:50 in the afternoon.
Being that the Alfred Perkins case was the only thing she had to occupy her time, Ava found herself unsure of where to go next, of what steps to take. She supposed she could continue to go down the list of names on Perkins’s client list, but that seemed potentially like a bad idea given what had just happened with Albrecht. So, with no other avenue to pursue, Ava decided to check in on the status of that photograph request for the suspicious prints atop the Chrysler Building. Though even as she got up to hunt down some information, she doubted the request would go anywhere. It was becoming quite clear that this case was going to be ruled a suicide. It was confusing because she didn’t see why she’d been moved out here to get stuck in a case that already had a predetermined outcome. Was she being punished in some way? Had Chief Freemantle and Captain Minard really sent her out here as punishment, only disguising it as a reward and opportunity? Had they had their fill of the city’s most infamous woman detective, as well as the blooming relationship she was striking up with Frank Wimbly?
Also, she had no idea who to even ask for an update on the photo request. That meant she’d have to track down Pawlowski—and based on her reaction to Ava bringing in Albrecht, she doubted her new partner would even want to speak with her.
She searched the building over and found her pretty quickly. She could hear Pawlowski’s stern but soft voice coming from inside the break room. It was accompanied by low, almost whispered male voices. One of them was chuckling in a way Ava thought sounded a little devious.
She stepped into the break room hesitantly. She figured if there was already a bit of quiet revelry taking place, her little mix-up with Albrecht was likely the reason. When she stepped in, she noticed that there were three male officers, two of whom were standing very close to Pawlowksi.
At first, Ava thought the group was huddled together laughing and gossiping about what had happened with Albrecht. Maybe the jokes had already started, and her new partner was leading the charge. But then Ava noticed the hardened look on Pawlowski’s face and understood what was happening. Pawlowski’s face had gone a shade of red in the cheeks and her eyes were like little flecks of stone.
And then Ava saw one of the men reach out to slap Pawlowski on the rear end. To her credit, Pawlowski tried to dodge it while reaching out to punch the man in the arm. All this did was give one of the others an opening to playfully slap her on the other side of her rear.
“I said let me out of here,” Pawlowski said through gritted teeth. “Just…move.”
“We will,” the man that seemed to be the ringleader of the group said. “I just need a little kiss. Or you show us some skin. Just a peek.”
There was quiet laughter at this, during which one of the men happened to look over to the door, probably to make sure no onewas seeing their vile little display. He looked alarmed at first but then smiled when he realized it was Ava, nudging the man next to him.
“Look at this,” he said. “It’s double the fun.”
Pawlowski also looked over and the red in her face brightened with embarrassment and shame.
“You three have a very strange definition of fun,” Ava said, finally stepping completely into the room. She could have turned and walked away, but she figured she was now a part of this because she’d witnessed it. And she’d been where Pawlowski was…she’d been there before and knew what it felt like. And she’d be damned if she would stand silently by.
“No, we know what fun is for sure,” the leader said, taking a step toward her. “You give me a few minutes alone in a dark room with you, and I’ll show you.”
“Alone with you?” Ava said. “Yeah, it wouldhaveto be a dark room.”
“Sam,” one of the other said in a joking tone from behind him. “Don’t you know? That’s Ava Gold.”
“I know who it is. But she’s not anything special. Just another dame, trying to be something she’s not in a world where she doesn’t belong.”
“What world is that?” Ava asked. “A man’s world? A world where it takes three men to corner one woman in a break room just to cop a feel?”
The leader—Sam, apparently—smiled. “You know…I don’t know how they handled broads down at your old precinct, but here, they’re nothing but maids. Pretty little things to look at and send off on errands. So…let me be the first to welcome you to—”
He reached out to place a hand on her hip as he spoke. When he did, Ava grabbed his arm, pulled him forward, and pushed him hard. At the same time, she extended her foot out, tripping him. The result was Sam sprawling forward and hitting theground. When he hit, he hithard.She could hear the breath go rushing out of him.
She quickly wheeled around, sure that at least one of the other men would come to their friend’s recue, posturing and trying to look strong, but both of them were frozen in place. One of them looked like he wanted to laugh at the situation but thought better of it. Feeling certain that neither of them were going to cause a problem, she turned back to Sam.
She turned just in time. He was on his feet and storming toward her. She wasn’t sure if he’d be so brazen to actually try attacking her, but she wasn’t about to take any chances. She assumed a defensive position, ready for anything. Sam apparently saw this as an invitation because he did indeed come for her. He extended his hand back, bringing a hard slap around. Ava ducked it easily, grabbing his arm in the process and swinging him hard to the left. He stumbled, collided with a chair behind the small table in the center of the room, and went to the floor once again.
“God, Sam,” one of the other men said. “Stay down. Don’t keep embarrassing yourself.”
Ava wasn’t so sure Sam would heed the advice, and she also knew that she was already flirting with disaster by her first two defenses. Taking the smarter, high road, she left the break room. She looked behind her quickly, making sure Pawlowski was taking advantage of the situation and also making an escape.
Ava supposed it would be smart to get moving. Staying in the building would only provoke Sam and the last thing she needed was a loud confrontation in front of everyone. Even though she felt she was in the right, she was not only a woman but a new face in the precinct. So she knew how that would go—and it would not be in her favor. She went to the front doors and headed out onto the street, having no real idea what her next step should be.
Before she made it all the way down the stairs and could sort out her thoughts, she heard her name called out from behind her. It was a woman’s voice, and she sounded angry.
“Gold!” Pawlowski said. “Wait just a minute!”
Ava turned to see Pawlowski coming down the stairs. She looked not only angry, but maybe a bit embarrassed as well.
“What is it?” Ava asked.
“What the hell was that?”