The Green Line by E. C. Diskin Read Free Book Online Page A

“there’s something else I should tell you. The same officers who appeared yesterday with the notice were in my store on Tuesday also, asking about you.”
    “What?”
    “They had a picture of you. Looked like an ID card of some sort?”
    “Really? What did you say?”
    “Actually, I lied. I got nervous because I realized that you might have committed a crime, which would mean that I had helped you escape somehow.”
    “Don’t worry. I didn’t commit a crime. But I did stumble upon a crime scene. And I ran away because I was scared.” Her mind instantly returned to the dead woman’s face. “The police must have found my purse—that would actually be a relief. So I guess there’s no reason to worry. I’ve already given a statement about everything I saw.”
    “Were you at Reggie’s?”
    “How did you know?”
    “Well, word in the neighborhood the next day was that police pulled a dead prostitute and drugs out of there.”
    “Yes. I found her. I went in there looking for a phone but before I could call for help this gang came in and I ran.” Abby took a sip of tea and added sarcastically, “What a great night.”
    Ali sat back and smiled. “Well, I feel like it was a great night anyway. I met this lovely woman who, as it turns out, may be my guardian angel.”
    “Thank you. I think I was pretty lucky to have met you too.”
    WALKING back to her office, Abby was struck by Ali’s kindness, her good fortune in meeting him, and the bizarre string of events that led to their meeting. She felt a sudden fear for Ali. He felt like a friend. More than a friend, really. Now he was in big trouble. She knew well enough that he could actually lose his building over the drug bust. She began to recount all those cases she researched years ago. The details were still in her mind: The woman who lost her car because her husband solicited a prostitute while driving it. The parents who lost their home because their son secretly grew some pot on the property. The yacht company that lost one of its boats because a single joint had been found on board after a renter had used the boat. There were countless tales of innocent owners losing property. Antiquated laws, re-energized in the seventies to combat the “war on drugs” that only gained momentum as law enforcement realized the power and revenue created in taking property. It had infuriated and baffled her back in law school when she was simply focused on writing a good law review article. Now, as she came face-to-face with a potential victim, she just felt scared for him. Her cell phone rang and she stopped in mid-stride to answer.
    “Ms. Donovan?”
    “Yes?”
    “This is Officer Reilly. I got your number from Officer Tunney out of the twenty-third district.”
    “Oh, yes.”
    “He sent me the police report regarding Monday night. We appreciate your cooperation and we’d like to ask you some more questions. Also, I believe we have your purse.”
    So this was the same officer who served notice on Ali.
    “Oh sure. And I’m so relieved about my purse. Does that mean you arrested the men who took it?”
    “We found the purse at the scene, Ms. Donovan. There was no one there.”
    Something about his tone put her off.
    “I don’t see any cash in here, but otherwise, I’m guessing it’s all in order. Wallet, keys, ID. Can you come to the station?”
    “Of course, but can I come tomorrow? I’ve got a full day and a required work function at five.”
    “Well, we do have your statement, so I suppose we could wait until tomorrow.”
    “Thanks so much. And where is the station?”
    “Pulaski and Division.”
    “I’m a little nervous to come to that area. Could we meet somewhere else?”
    “We’d really like you to view some mug shots and see if you could identify anyone you might have seen that night.”
    “Oh. I guess that makes sense.”
    “Why don’t I pick you up at your office and bring you in? No reason to feel nervous when you have a police