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The Waiting Room

~ Chapter Ninety-Two


Roux's Revelation


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Ichabod placed DeMarco’s mask into the box. BonBon found herself being consoled by Lt. Victor but could see that he was distant in his condolences. Crane knew that Victor had been jealous of DeMarco. Victor was more than pleased that the Spaniard was gone.

But even from where he stood, he could tell that there was no sincerity in his words. Others felt it too but it was Roux who made the first move.

“Bon Bon,” her name rolled off his tongue like a breeze across an Irish field, his hand extended to her. “Won’t you join our little group over here? I’ve written a new ballad that perhaps you may enjoy? And…” he offered her a small white box. “We have chocolates.”

The Cuban beauty dabbed her eyes and leaned forward for a closer look at the tempting treats. She glanced up to Roux and saw him nod, bringing the box closer to her so she could have her pick.

She plucked a round chocolate from its' paper and popped it in her mouth, savoring the sweet taste. She reached for another but Roux withdrew.

“Another, only if you come join us,” he said waving his hand in the direction of the men who sat waiting for his return. “I am sure you know us all…Cesar, Raphael and William Blake.”

Bon Bon glanced beyond Roux. He watched as a strange look crossed her face.

“What is it?” he asked as he turned to face his small band of friends.

His eyes came to rest on Raphael, who like Bon Bon had a look of concern. He then looked to Cesar who was shaking his head and when he caught Roux looking at him shrugged his shoulders and pointed to the empty chair; the chair where Blake always sat. On the seat were two items: his gun and a skeleton key.

“This can’t be,” Roux mumbled as he went to the chair. Carefully he picked up the gun, glancing about. Surely Blake would not intentionally leave his six-shooter. He flipped the chamber and found it fully loaded and one by one, ejected the bullets, including the one in the barrel. As if it were still a deadly weapon he gently placed the weapon on the table.

Then he picked up the skeleton key; the one Angie had sent him.

“He would not have let this out of his sight,” Roux said, and received confirming nods.

“Help me,” he said to the other two men as he scraped the bullets into his hand. Cesar picked up the gun while Raphael held out his hand to take the bullets.

The three of them went to Crane.

“Constable?” Roux’s voice brought the detective around. He looked to the gypsy’s face then down to his hand where he held out the key. Crane took it.

“William Blake’s,” Roux explained. “And this was his gun,” he waved towards Cesar who surrendered the weapon.

“And the bullets,” Raphael added, holding on to them, seeing Crane no longer had an empty hand.

“Were there others this morning?” Roux inquired.

Crane nodded, placing the weapon into the box, the key into his pocket. His concern was they might need the key to the basement later.

“The Commander found these.” Crane held up a pair of reading glasses and a briefcase. Roux recognized them as belonging to Gene Watson. The Constable unlocked the case, flipping up the lid. Inside was one photograph of a young girl. Crane picked it up and handed it to Roux.

She was a beautiful little girl.

“His daughter?” Roux asked. Crane nodded, taking back the picture and returning back into the briefcase. “She was the world to him.” Roux commented.

But Crane moved on to another item off the table.

“And this was found by of all people, Mr. Jung.” The policeman’s shield flashed gold in the overhead lights of The Room. For a second Roux was blinded by the light that bounced off the gold badge.

When Roux could see again he saw the name on the badge.

Joseph Pistone.

Roux shook his head, not remembering anyone by that name.
Crane saw his confusion.

“We knew him as Mr. Brasco. Donnie Brasco,” Crane cleared up the mystery.

“Another police officer gone?” Roux asked as he searched The Room.

“I fear the answer to your question is a solid yes.” Crane answered as he placed the badge in the box.

Crane then pulled out the skeleton key and held it out for Roux.

“Could you be so kind and find me another empty box? I am so afraid that this one has become full.”

Roux gave a small nod.

“Yes, Constable, I am sure by now there is another empty box in the basement.” The men watched as Roux left them, a sadness to him. He paused before he entered the kitchen and turned, looking back to the men.

But he was looking at one man in particular: his friend Raphael, then sighed and disappeared behind the kitchen door.



 

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