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Sandy Tobias

By: thornapple



by Philip Johnson

                                 Prologue

 Tanya and Jay Sheffield, your typical couple in their low thirties. Jay was six feet tall with sandy hair, a quick smile and an above average physique, and he still considered himself average. And then there was Tanya. Not a stunning woman as looks go. Dark blond hair and average blue eyes, but she had a body that men were compelled to study at some length. Of course she knew how to dress to accent her best features, like her slim waist and impressive breasts, and more than respectable hips and butt. 

 They lived just outside of the city limits of Granger, which in reality was almost an extension of Mishawaka, Indiana, which was almost connected to South Bend. The day will come when all three areas will become a large blended metropolis with city borders all but forgotten.

 There was nothing in their lives that was especially remarkable. Their closest friends were Matt and Shelly, and it could be said that their lifestyle was pretty much the same. 

 Then there was Casey, Tanya's other best friend. Sadly, the relationship between Jay and Casey wasn't exactly the stuff of smiles and kindness. No, their mutual goal in life, it seemed, was to pick at or otherwise make life unpleasant for the other one.  But their mutually agreed on misbehavior would soon be put to the test in a way that nobody could have ever expected.



                         Chapter One





 "Jay," Tanya called out as they came in the front door. "We're just stopping for coffee and to rest and warm up."

 "Talk softer," he said as he appeared, "I was just in the living room."

 "Hi Jay," Casey said without a smile.

 With barely a look and no smile he said, "Oh yeah...hi Casey," and he retreated to his little computer room or office. He'd frequently change the name depending on his mood, or perhaps what it was he was up to at that moment. He could hear them in the kitchen as they made coffee and talked. He couldn't make out their words as he stared at his monitor and his mind wandered, but he didn't really try to either,. Why did Casey always bring out the worst in him? She was perhaps even better looking than Tanya, but she didn't have Tanya's body. Hair much like Tanya's that she wore a little on the long side and hazel eyes that could almost have a hint of green sometimes. Perhaps a touch thinner than Tanya too, which was neither good nor bad, but just different.  

 Jay pulled himself out of his daydreaming and tried to pick at a small work project until he heard the front door open and close, and then Tanya appeared. "Jay, you are so rude hiding in here. I was embarrassed."

 "Oh hell Tanya, had I come out there Casey and I would have just ended up picking at each other. I just saved all of us that stress."

 "You're supposed to be an adult. We could have sat in the living room and talked. I have to think that you two could manage that for a little while."

 "I can just see that. There I am sitting on the couch with Casey sitting next to me all nice and proper with her hands in her lap. I'd sit there and stare at the far wall hesitant to say anything for fear of starting something with her. It would be easier and more fun to sit next to an inflatable doll."

 "Oh honey, don't tempt me, because I could say something to that. So why do you two always feel you have to have the last word. What's so all mighty important about that?"

 "I don't have to have the last word, you're just imagining that."

 "Sure I am. Well Casey is waiting for me in a cold car. We'll only be a couple more hours most likely."

 "Take your time."

 As she neared the front door she stopped and nearly laughing, she told him, "You couldn't stand the excitement of a blow up doll."

 She just had the door open when he said, "And I don't have to have the last word," and she laughed so hard she almost slipped on the snow covered front step. He didn't even realize that he had just proved he had to have the last word. 

 That short exchange of words wasn't anything unusual for the two of them. No hard feelings at all, just an example of their usual post Casey visit discussion. 

 That topic came up again when they had dinner with Matt and Shelly at Granite City Friday night. Tanya waited until after dinner and they were sampling their just delivered Irish coffees when she said, "You should have seen how rude Jay was with Casey the other night." Shelly listened and Matt and Jay grabbed glances and rolled their eyes as they smiled and let the women talk.

 "Okay Jay, what's the guy's version of that?" Matt asked.

 "Oh it's pretty much as Tanya described it I guess, but she leaves out the fact that Casey is as much at fault as I am. She just can't seem to keep from stirring things up."

 "Okay," Tanya said, "So she is a little outspoken, but she has to be to protect herself from your acid tongue."

 "Well you're right about one thing, she is outspoken, or at least with me she is."

 "Exactly, with you. You bring out the worst in each other. In fact you two are yin and yang. Neither evil, but both equal and total opposites."

 That whole issue was forgotten after that, or at least until Wednesday night after work when Matt and Jay stopped for a cold beer and a sandwich before going home.  "One thing with both women going with Casey to exercise is we don't have to worry about getting home at a certain time."

 "So true. In fact, if you'll remember, the last time we were here was with the women and they reminded us that we'd had our limit." 

 "Of course they were right, but who wants to be reminded of that little detail."

 "Excuse me," a tall skinny guy said standing next to Jay. "I was in here awhile back and you two were here with your ladies." Then looking at Jay he said, "Your wife looks like an identical twin to a woman that I met in Milwaukee a few years ago.  Is there any chance that she would be from there?"

 "No, she's much more local than that."

 "Oh well, sorry to bother you. Oh, and if I may add, she's an impressive woman."

 "Thank you and I agree." With that, Skinny smiled and went back to the bar to finish his drink and the incident was forgotten.

 Thursday night, Casey was out of Jay's thoughts as was the skinny guy, because he was struggling with the wording on the job description for a new position that he was proposing at the office. That was when Tanya came in from work and asked him, "Didn't you go to work today?"

 "Yes I did actually, but it was quiet so I decided I could do this in the comfort of home."

 She smiled as she picked up his glass and sniffed it. "And just a touch of bourbon always helps."

 He smiled and told her, "You're just too clever. You're right of course. I'm almost done here."

 "That's okay. Oh, I just learned today that my job is changing temporarily."

 "How's that?"

 "I have to spend every other week in Lansing. I'll stay in the corporate apartment of course and I'll be paid more."

 "That pretty much sucks, for how long?"

 "It's open ended right now, so I don't know."

 "Well if it goes on for months we're going to have to have a chat honey."

 "Let's wait and see what happens okay?"



                            Chapter Two





 Tanya left for Lansing Sunday afternoon and Jay wandered around the house muttering to himself. "Crap, it's almost like being single again." Her going back and forth one week at each office was going to get old very quickly, but at least Tanya was taking it okay. At first they talked to each other almost every night, but that quickly dropped off to Wednesday or Thursday night. He had to admit that once he had adjusted it wasn't intolerable, but he was still going to raise hell if it went on too long. She would get home late Friday night and then be tired for most of the weekend. Then work through the week only to go back to Lansing the next Sunday afternoon. Jay was doing a lot of his office work at home and that made his days at the office much easier, but it wasn't worth it to him.

 It just happened that late in the day on a Thursday, Casey called and asked to talk to Tanya. "Sorry, she's in Lansing this week."

 "Damn, I got the weeks screwed up somehow. I have some clothes of hers that I borrowed for a banquet and I was going to drop them off."

 "Shit," Jay whispered to himself and then calmly said, "I'll be here if you want to drop them off."

 "I'm coming in from a meeting in Kokomo so I'll be a little while. The damn roads are getting a little greasy."

 "Don't you listen to the radio?"

 "No I don't listen to the radio, I listen to my MP3 player."

 "Well they've been talking about little else but the lake effect snow storm that's coming in with temperatures dropping fast and winds coming off of Lake Michigan."

 "No damn it, this can't be happening."

 "Yeah, well it is. You better just keep going and head home to St. Joe."

 "Shit. My meeting sucked, this weather sucks and...never mind, I forgot who I was talking to."

 "Good luck and don't hit anything or anybody."

 "Gee thanks, I never would have thought of that on my own," and she hung up.

 It wasn't half an hour later when Jay's doorbell rang and there stood Casey with an armload of clothes and a plastic bag and snow on her hair. He looked past her and said, "It's really snowing and blowing now."

 "You know, you are just a fountain of wisdom."

 "And hi to you," and he walked ahead of her toward the kitchen. "So why did you stop here?"

 "Why? I could have sworn you just looked outside and said how crappy the weather is. I couldn't see more than twenty feet ahead of me at best, and sometimes not even that far, and my little Honda doesn't do worth a damn in a blizzard."

 "Have some coffee and settle down."

 "Do you have anything to put in it?"

 "I have a bottle of Seagram's."

 "That will work fine." There was no please or thank you to be heard. 

 While the coffee was brewing Matt called and asked, "You getting along in this blizzard?"

 "Yeah. Casey just arrived and says the visibility is almost impossible."

 "Casey is there without Tanya?"

 "Yep."

 "Oh shit, should I come over there and referee?"

 Jay laughed and said, "I'll let you know."

 "Well I'll be curious to hear how this situation plays out."

 "You're just loving this a little too much."

 "I think it's kick ass funny. Talk to ya tomorrow if you're still alive," and he hung up.

 Jay and Casey talked over whisky laced coffee and managed to be civil to each other. "Jay, how is it going with the Tanya in Lansing thing."

 "I hate it, but I agreed to ride it out for awhile. It worries me that this thing is an open ended arrangement, so that means there is no date on the calendar that is circled as the end."

 "The last time I talked to her she seemed to be handling it okay."

 "I know, and that worries me." Then changing the subject he asked her, "So why aren't you moving closer to your work? St. Joe is a long drive from here."

 "I hadn't noticed. I just make that damn drive every day of the week. I can't sell my place in St. Joe for enough to get me into anything decent down here. Maybe after the Michigan housing market improves a little I'll look into it."

 "Casey, you better stay in the guest room because the weather is supposed to get worse over night and into tomorrow before the winds start to ease."

 She leaned back and said, "Damn it. I mean I knew I was probably stuck here...I mean... you know what I meant."

 "Go pick out something to wear for tonight and tomorrow. It's just a good thing that you and Tanya are close to the same size."

 "Maybe I can make it to the office from here in the morning."

 "I doubt it, but maybe so. I'm not even going to try. If we were in town then maybe I'd try it, but not from here. It just isn't worth it."

 She got up and rinsed her cup and put it next to the sink and said, "Are you sure you don't mind me rummaging through your bedroom?"

 "No, you know where Tanya's things are."

 "Her drawers are on the left I think."

 "You got it."

 Casey looked in Tanya's closet and then her dresser drawers and selected night ware and clothes for tomorrow, and put them all in the guest room, and then came back out. "It really felt weird doing that with Tanya not here."

 "We both know she wouldn't mind at all."

 "I know, but that was still a strange experience for some reason." 

 Both of them managed to behave themselves right up to bedtime. But morning proved to be a little different.

 Jay was up and making coffee just after seven when Casey appeared in the kitchen and then suddenly stopped and said, "Damn it Jay, can't you find something to put on?"

 "I can, but I do this every morning and then go take my shower."

 "Do you always do this when you have company?"

 "I don't know because I can't remember the last time we had anybody use the guest room."

 "Like that made sense. So you're really not going to work?"

 "In this crappy weather? Hell no, I'll work from here and send it in and then pick up the pieces Monday."

 Jay finally filled his cup again and left the kitchen and then stopped. "Casey you look nice," and then he went to shower. 

 When he came back after his shower, Casey was sitting there reading the paper and then said, "What did you mean by that comment?"

 "What comment?"

 "Casey you look nice. That's sarcasm if I ever heard it."

 "Holy shit that wasn't sarcasm, that was an honest comment. Damn, can't you tell the difference?"

 "Of course I can, but you never compliment me."

 "Well, I guess I'll retract those words then and say you look like you died during the night," and he left the kitchen again and went to his bedroom.

 The next time he saw her was in the living room. She was watching the storm out through the large front window and she was wearing a skirt and blouse that belonged to Tanya, and it happened to be one of his favorite outfits. "Curious that you would wear that blouse with that skirt."

 "Let me guess, you don't like it."

 "I said that because that's the blouse that Tanya almost always wears with that skirt and it's my favorite."

 "Oh."

 "You look nice," and he turned to go back to his office.

 She turned toward him and said to his back, "I don't have Tanya's great body though."

 "That's true," and he kept walking away from her while she gave his back the finger.

 "You're not exactly a hunk either you know," and he just waved to her over his head and kept walking. He wasn't in the mood to have the last word for a change.

 Casey headed home by mid afternoon, and Matt was there by six to see what was left of his friend. They were still talking when Tanya made it home and Jay told her about Casey spending the night. "You and Casey alone in the house...at the same time?"

 Matt laughed and said, "That's why I'm here to see what's left of him."

 Tanya was smiling as she asked Jay, "So how did that go?"

 "Not bad. We didn't exactly kiss each other goodnight of course, but we didn't kill each other either."

 "This is unbelievable."

 "Oh, and she borrowed some of your things so she'd have something to wear."

 "What did she wear?"

 "Well for bedtime she didn't wear much at all." Matt's eyes opened wider and then Jay added, "I said that for your benefit Matt. Actually she wore the blue pajamas, and for today she wore your gray skirt with the red button blouse that you always wear with that skirt."

 "Your favorite."

 "Right."

 "How'd she look?"

 "Very nice actually."

 "Oh my God, you even complimented her just now. I can't believe this."

 "We were forced into the situation, so we worked damn hard at not starting anything in the way of conflict. She got a little testy when she saw me in my briefs though."

 "Jay you didn't."

 "I thought I'd have coffee and be in the shower by the time she got up."

 "I'm sure that was a shock for her. I can't wait to talk to her about all of this."

 Matt stood up then and said, "Well nothing juicy or exciting here so I'm going home. Welcome home Tanya and maybe we can get out for dinner soon." 

 As soon as Matt was gone, Tanya sat down next to Jay and asked him, "Did you two really get along?"

 "For the most part we did. Look, don't make more of this than it really was. She was stuck here and I was stuck with her. I could have ragged on her, but that would have just made it worse for me. I could tell she was biting her tongue at certain points and probably behaved just to make it more tolerable for herself."

 "But it proves that you two can get along."

 "For awhile at best though."

 Tanya went to the bedroom and unpacked her bag, and came out and dropped onto the couch. "What a rotten week this was. So damn busy and it was the same at our offices down here."

 "Sounds good for the company though."

 "Not really, just one problem after another."                        

 Tanya waited until Saturday morning and Jay was checking his email to call Casey. "Hi, I understand you and Jay had some quality time together. I didn't even see any blood on the floor."

 Casey laughed and said, "Can you believe that one? We were actually pretty civil with each other."

 "I'm almost speechless."

 "I hope you don't mind that I borrowed some things. I'll get them back to you next week some time."

 "Of course not, and no need to hurry. So how did Jay look in his briefs."

 "Damn him. I'm surprised he told you about that actually."

 "Not right away, but he was pretty up front about it."

 "I didn't know what to do, but damn him I did stare at him."

 "I'm sure you did and I can only imagine your shock."

 "Once that wore off I nagged him, but he seemed indifferent to what I said. But you know, it's almost as surprising that he didn't unload on me like I was sure he would."

 "You two are a constant surprise to me."

 "Tanya, I really do owe him for taking care of me. That storm was so bad I didn't think I could even make it to a motel. I better get busy. Talk to you soon."

 "Bye Casey."



                       Chapter Three 





 It was right at seven o'clock Friday morning of the fifth week that Tanya was working in Lansing, when Jay's doorbell played its little tune indicating the front door. "Mr. Sheffield?"

 "I'm Jay, how can I help you?"

 "I'm detective Withers and this is my partner Detective Lopez. We need to come in and talk to you for a minute."

 "Sure, come in," and he stepped back. Detective Lopez closed the door behind him and Jay led the way to the living room. "Have a seat gentlemen."

 "Mr. Sheffield..."

 "Jay if you don't mind."

 "Jay, your wife's name is Tanya correct?"

 "That's right."

 "Where does she work?"

 "Manning Engineering, why?"

 "Before we get into that, do you have a friend you could call? We'd like them to be here as well, in case we have other questions."

 "Sure, but they don't live next door, so it might take some time."

 "That's fine." 

 Jay tried to call Matt, but he didn't answer his cell phone so he tried Shelly with the same result. He knew that if they were in a restaurant they would have their phones off, so he thought and then tried Casey because everybody else would still be at work or lived too far away. Casey answered her phone on the third ring and said, "Casey."

 "Hi, it's Jay and I need you to come over. Where are you?"

 "I'm on my way to work, just a few miles from you on Cleveland. What's going on?"

 "I don't know, but the police are here and want to talk to you and me."

 "They must be mixed up."

 "They probably are, but they won't say more until you're here."

 "Damn. Okay, I'll be there in about fifteen minutes."

 "Thanks, I'll tell them." Once they heard what Jay had to say, Detective Lopez said, "We'll go to the car and work on something. When your friend gets here we'll come back in."


Sandy Tobias



When Casey pulled into the driveway, the detectives followed her to the door and they went inside. "Detectives this is Casey Damon, Tanya's best friend."

 Detective Lopez took the lead saying, "If you two would have a seat on the couch we have some questions we need to ask you." Jay and Casey did as they were asked, and then Detective Lopez asked, "Does the name Sandy Tobias mean anything to you?" Jay said no and Casey shook her head as she all but stared at the detective.

 "What about Corcoran?"

 Jay told them, "Yes, that's Tanya's maiden name. Where are we going with this anyway?"

 "There's no easy way to say this. Tanya was murdered last night about eight o'clock." Jay stared and Casey reached for Jay's hand as his tears started to flow. 

 He wiped his eyes with the back of his left hand and asked them, "What the hell happened?"

 "We're here on behalf of the Lansing detectives, so our knowledge is somewhat limited. But we know she was shot from behind. Have either of you ever heard of Crystal's Palace?" They both said no and then they were asked, "What about Crystal Wiggins, is that name familiar?"

 "No," Jay said and they waited for the next question.

 "Do either of you know of anybody that might have been mad at Tanya?"

 Again no, and as Jay put his arm around Casey she slipped hers behind his back and Lopez asked them, "Do you know how Tanya spent her evenings while in Lansing?"

 Jay shook his head and then added, "Probably doing paper work because she's been so busy."

 "What about your finances?"

 "We've always had separate bank accounts and split the living expenses."

 "Do you know how much she made for example?"

 "Only in the most general terms. I know she wasn't worried about money though."

 "What we have to tell you next is only going to make things worse for you I'm afraid, but you need to know some of the details that we've been told. Jay, Crystal's Palace is a gentlemen's club in Milwaukee,and Tanya was half owner."

 Jay's world was spinning and he couldn't even manage to form a thought. Casey asked, "You mean a strip club?"

 "Yes basically, but more expensive and with better clientele we were told. But there's more. Tanya danced there many times and continued with that even though she owned half interest in the business. She was a silent partner for the most part though. So this is all new to you two?"

 Jay was wiping his eyes again and slowly getting control of himself as he said, "Yes, this is all new and unbelievable." 

 "One more thing I'm afraid. Tanya was still dancing on the nights she was in Lansing." Jay was incredulous.

 "Are you sure we're talking about Tanya?"

 "Yes we're sure. She had just arrived at Gina's Hideaway where she was dancing when she was shot. She was wearing her tiny costume under her sweats when it happened. Oh, and Sandy Tobias was her real name. She was arrested and printed for indecent exposure a number of years ago. The report said she was quite intoxicated at the time."

 "So Corcoran was phony too then."

 "That's right."

 Jay allowed himself to drop back against the sofa and looked up at the ceiling as he used his anger to control his hurt and confusion. He straightened his back and started to think clearly as he said, "So along with a whole lot of other things, they'll have to question every patron there to see if some guy's wife shot her out of jealousy."

 "That's right, and like you said, and a whole lot more. They have their work cut out for them. They'll be down to talk with you sometime today, so maybe they'll have more information."

 "Contact them and tell them I'll be up there this afternoon."

 The detectives were done, so Jay and Casey walked them to the door, and as soon as the door was closed, they walked into each other's arms and cried softly.

 At least for that time, their penchant for needling each other was forgotten.

 They went back to the couch and sat close to each other as he asked her, "Casey, did she ever say anything about being a stripper to you, or even talk like she was interested?"

 "About once a week or so we'd do some pole dancing at the club as part of our exercise routine, but that's all. She was quite good at it in fact, but then I was told I was too."

 "But you never were a stripper right?"

 "What kind of question was that, of course I wasn't."

 "I never would have guessed that Tanya was either."

 "Okay, never mind. So you're going to Lansing?"

 "Yes, I want to go see where she was working and talk to them. I want to talk to the detectives and see what they will share with me."

 "What about Crystal's Palace?"

 "I've already decided that I'm going to fly to Milwaukee Sunday. If Tanya was half owner, that now makes me half owner, and I intend to get a lot of information one way or another."

 "I want to go with you."

 "You what? What the hell for?"

 "Well what do you think? My best friend was just murdered, I learn that she was a stripper and owned half of a strip club. Excuse me, a gentleman's club. Okay so I don't have as much invested as you do, but damn it I need or at least want to know Jay."

 "Okay, but I won't pay for your flight to Milwaukee. I'll take care of the hotel or whatever and I'll pay for the meals, but not the flight."

 "Big spender. Okay, I'll pay for my own ticket and I'll pay for my own meals. I couldn't do that every week, but I can certainly do it this time."

 "We'll be getting home quite late."

 "Then I'll stay in your guest room again and if it won't bother you too much I'll use some of Tanya's things again."

 "Have at it Casey, you know where things are and she has other bags the closet."

 Casey hesitated for just a second and then told him, "Jay, I'm so sorry and I hurt for you, but I don't know what else to say or do. I'm so disappointed in her for what she was doing and apparently had done, and even worse that she kept all of that from you and me the whole time. It's all so wrong and in so many ways."

 "Thanks. My head is spinning so much that I can't even sort out what's real and what isn't right now. Casey, if you go with me to Milwaukee you'll miss work Monday."

 "I can always be sick, if I can't get the day off."

 "Okay, let's do it this way. We'll talk to the police and then we can check out the Gina's Hideaway tonight, and then come back here in the morning. Then to Milwaukee later in the day and then retain a lawyer Monday and maybe go to the Palace before we come home."

 "You mean go to two strip clubs?"

 "Yeah, have you ever been in one?"

 "Of course not, why would a woman ever go into one of those places?"

 "You got me. I guess you can wait in the hotel while I check it out come to think of it."

 "I didn't say I wouldn't go, just that I never have before."

 "Okay, but that's your call to make. Wait. If we go to the Palace Monday night we won't get home until sometime Tuesday."

 "I'll take that off to just in case, so don't worry about that, but Jay, I'm a little worried about you."

 "Why?"

 "Because you're not grieving. It's more like you have a job to do and you're going to do everything you can to do that job."

 "That's right. Casey, I love and I miss the woman I married, but I hate the woman that went to Lansing last Sunday and never came home. I hate what she really was, and the fact that she deceived me so completely and for so long and that she lied to me about what she was doing in Lansing."

 "But she really was doing her job. I mean the one we knew about."

 "But not her stripping on stage, and I'll almost bet screwing for bucks. That's probably just part of that scene, so I'm not so naïve as to think she was any different. She probably made more than the average because of her hot body, but she was still a stripper and a whore."

 "Are you focusing on what we're going to do to bury your grief?"

 "Who the hell knows, and to tell you the truth I really don't care. If that's what I'm doing then great, and I hope it helps me. I'll grieve later if that's what I need to do. I suspect however, that I'm not going to do a lot of grieving. I can tell you this too. When her body is released she will be cremated. If I or you feel the need, we'll have a gathering of her friends and we'll all get drunk and act stupid and call it a memorial for her." Casey just listened to him, but said nothing more. She was still worried about him, and if he would fall apart or explode at the wrong time or place.

                            Chapter Four





 The drive up to Lansing was a quiet one, because neither of them could begin to get their mind around what had just happened, and what they had just learned about Tanya. Jay would get about half sick to his stomach if he spent too much time on the subject of his wife being a stripper and a whore, so he worked hard to focus on what he needed to take care of. He called Manning Engineering and told Tanya's boss about the murder, and arrangements were made so he could get her belongings from the corporate apartment. Casey was going to follow him home in Tanya's car so that detail was covered, so he focused on talking to the police and how he was going to handle it when they went to the Gina's Hideaway strip club.

 It was easier for Casey to think about her best friend being a stripper, but she still couldn't begin to understand how Tanya could keep such big secrets from Jay or from her. How could Tanya do that to the man that loved her so much? She had no answers of course, but that didn't stop her from thinking about all of that.    

 Then there was Jay. He was so stoic and focused, and determined to deal with all of his emotions, and totally immersed himself into Tanya's life as the details were slowly being revealed to him. She was more worried about him now than she had been in the beginning. She glanced over at him and he had both hands on the wheel and his eyes were straight ahead. He wasn't even leaning back in his seat, like he was trying to physically push the car toward Lansing.

 As they neared town, Jay's voice almost startled Casey as he said, "Thirty four hundred South Cedar is what we're looking for." A minute later Casey pointed ahead and Jay worked to find a place to park. As soon as they were out of the car, Jay took off at a fast walk, so Casey worked to catch up with him saying, "Jay wait for me." He stopped for a brief second and she took his hand in hers and they cut across the street, still at a quick pace, and went inside. They talked to the officer at the desk, and a couple of minutes later a guy in tan slacks and a dark maroon polo shirt appeared. "I'm Detective Mullins. Thanks for driving all the way up here. I'll take you down here to a small conference room where we can talk. Coffee or soda for either of you?" After Jay and Casey said no, they went in and sat down at a small table.

 After Jay introduced Casey, Detective Mullins said, "First and foremost, I want to add my condolences for your loss. It's my understanding from the detectives in Mishawaka that they told you about what happened."

 Casey watched Jay closely as he said, "Would you mind going over it in case something was left out somewhere along the way?"

 "Okay. I'll just list them off and you stop me if something I say is new or different." He looked at his large hand and touching a finger like he was counting he said, "The call came in right at eight o'clock last night that there had been a shooting in front of the Gina's Hideaway. Did they tell you about that place?"

 "It's a strip club."

 "That's right. A very nice one as those places go, but that's what it is." Then he went back to his fingers and picking up where he left off said, "I'll skip some of the minor details and continue with, your wife was shot one time from behind. It hit her spine and went on through her heart. Jay it was over very quickly for her. I'm sorry to say, that at this point we have dozens of leads to follow, but nothing solid at this point. The strip club had been open no more than an hour and the place was really quiet, so no witnesses to work with."

 "How long had she been dancing there?"

 "Every other week for the last six weeks."

 "So she was finishing her third week with them."

 "That's right. Normally she would rotate with the other dancers until ten, but if the crowd was good she'd stay another hour."

 "Who is the manager there?"

 Detective Mullins opened the file and looked for a second before saying, "Gina Moseley. Do you plan to talk to her?"

 "As soon as we can actually."

 "Be there at seven and she'll likely be around, but don't look at her like she's the villain. Even if you don't approve of what she does, she runs a clean business."

 "What she does doesn't matter to me at all. Hell, I've been to a couple of those places myself when I was younger. I'm...we're more interested in what she can share with us about Tanya. Did the detectives from Mishawaka tell you that neither Casey nor I had any idea of what she was doing?"

 "Yes, they did share that with me. And you knew nothing about Milwaukee either as I understand it."

 "Not a clue. We're flying to Milwaukee Sunday afternoon to pay Crystal's Palace a visit, especially since I now find myself half owner of a strip club."

 The detective smiled slightly and said, "I hope you accomplish your goals." 

 "Detective, I hope I don't seem too controlled or hard, but even though there is a part of me that still loves Tanya or Sandy or whoever, with all of the things that we've learned, and we either know or can safely assume has happened, a much larger part of me hates her now. It's a mess that's going to take me some time to come to terms with."

 "I understand. But before you leave, let me share something with you that I've had to learn myself. I see all kinds of people and all kinds of suffering and all manner of bad things. But unless or until we know the full and complete story, or as we've all heard said, walked a mile in their shoes, we'd do well not to condemn or judge too harshly. That will make it a lot easier for us to live with ourselves and our loved ones as we move on through our lives."

 "Thank you Detective," Casey said, "That's good advice for all of us."

 "If you have questions don't hesitate to call me and if we learn anything of substance we'll do our best to share it with you. Just don't expect this to be solved soon, because that isn't likely. Just rest assured that we won't let you or Tanya down."

 Jay was first to stand up and said, "Thank you for taking the time for us. I know you have a hell of a lot to do."

 "I do have, but this was important. To all of you that cared for her and to us here in Lansing." They walked back toward the front and then shook hands and Jay and Casey left.

                          Chapter Five





 They were in the car and headed north before Casey said, "I really do think the detectives will do everything they can to solve Tanya's murder."

 "I do too. I have to put that to one side though, because I can't do anything to help them. If I don't I'll be calling them for updates and I'll just go nuts. So I'll put my energies to the things that I do need to do. For me, or for us or whatever the hell the reason. I just feel like I have to do something."

 "Jay I really do understand. You really do need to look into Crystal's Palace at the least since you own half of it."

 "I just wonder what the hell I own half of. Maybe it's nothing more that a derelict building now."

 "When will you have access to her bank records?" He gave her a hard look so she said, "What? My God Jay, you will have to deal with that you know, and if there is anything to the Palace she should show some earnings somewhere."

 He looked straight ahead again and mumbled, "I'm sorry, I'm just jumpy."

 "I know."

 Jay used his GPS and found a Hampton Inn fairly close to where they wanted to be, so he set the route and let the electronic female voice guide them. Jay was leaning back in his seat now and he would look around a little as they made their way through town. He even looked over at Casey a few times, but didn't say anything. It was far too early to get a room because the maids wouldn't have released them, but they checked in and that started a little discussion as they left to find something to eat. "Jay, you must be crazy. Just one room for both of us?"

 "With two beds, so relax. I'm not going to tie you down and rape you."

 "I know that, but my god it's..."

 "It's no big deal is what it is. That saves us over a hundred bucks."

 Casey let her breath out and then in a softer voice said, "Okay, I'm sorry, but this is going to be awkward."

 "Why, do you sleep in the nude?"

 "You know I don't."

 "Oh that's right, the blue pajamas."

 "But you sleep in your briefs."

 "Sometimes. And you've seen me like that, so again, no big deal."

 She tried not to, but she smiled at him and then looked away.

 They were both starved, but neither of them cared where they went or what they ate. Perry's Bar and Grill appeared, so they pulled in and went into the half dark bar, and then to the right to the small but better lit dining room.

 A short and rather round young woman appeared and hardly speaking, took their orders and disappeared. Casey watched her leave and then said, "Well she won't win the congeniality award for the week."

 "I hope the cook takes his job more seriously than she does." They each had a beer and then a second one with their very good burgers and fries, and relaxed. 

 Casey watched Jay without him being aware of it and she relaxed a little more. Jay was slowing down a little and when he took a deep breath and leaned back she felt sure that he would be okay, or at least as much so as could reasonably be expected. "Jay you look tired."

 "I guess I am. In a way I feel like an old clock that was wound too tight and my spring broke. All of a sudden I feel drained."

 "Let's go back to the motel and get some rest in case the evening proves to be a long one."

 I have to admit that does sound good if you don't mind."

 "I don't mind at all, and in fact I could stand some down time myself."

 As soon as they were in their room on the second floor, Jay put his bag on the luggage stand and dropped onto the nearest bed, and Casey, though somewhat more gently, put her bag down and claimed the other bed lying on her back. As she looked up at the bland white ceiling she said, "This feels great."

 "I feel better already."

 "Jay, you handled yourself so well at the police station."

 Still on his back he looked over at her and said, "What did you expect me to do, go postal?"

 She looked across the few feet that separated their beds and said, "No silly, but you could have fallen apart. You could have ranted and raved about them finding the killer. There were many ways you could have been, but like I said, you kept your cool and paid close attention to what you were told."

 "What we were told. You were there too."

 "Okay, what we were told."

 "Thanks for coming along by the way. Having you with me has helped a lot."

 "I'm glad I do, but I wish there was more that I could do for you."

 "I don't know if I'll ever get used to us being nice to each other though. It just doesn't seem right somehow."

 "Well let's keep it like this at least until we get through the Milwaukee issues."

 "Speaking of that, I made an appointment with a Hiram Conrad. I chose his office because it was the closest one to the Palace."

 "I'll bet Matt would freak if he knew we were sharing a motel room right now."

 Jay smiled and said, "Damn you're right. Once things settle down we'll have to play with his mind just a little."

 Casey turned on her side and smiled as she said, "Do you realize what you just said?"




Sandy Tobias



"Well...yeah."

 "So you expect us to continue to be friends...no that's not what I mean because I'm sure we will be friends. That...you know that we'd have reason to see each other."

 "You just said we'd continue to be friends, so why not? How else are we going to jerk Matt and Shelly's chain?"

 "I'm glad. I mean that we'll still be friends and see each other at least once in awhile."

 "With all that you and I have been through and will go through and you doubted that?"

 "I guess I really hadn't thought that far ahead until now."

 They were quiet then and one by one they dozed off. Casey was first up and did her best to be quiet as she took a quick shower and dressed, and dried her hair as she picked at it until Jay tapped at the door. She opened it and smiling said, "You had a nice nap."

 "I think I died. Did you put something in my beer?"

 "I'm innocent. Now let me get out of here so you can use the bathroom." Twenty minutes later he appeared in his briefs and she stared at him again. "You're determined embarrass me aren't you."

 "Because I'm in my briefs? I can't believe you embarrass that easily."

 "Well I just didn't expect you to do that again. Here we are in a small motel room. It was shocking enough in your house. God, I'll bet Tanya...oh shit, I'm sorry Jay," and she started to cry.

 He went over to her and holding her close told her, "It's okay Casey. I'm sure things like that will happen, at least once in awhile."

 Her arms were around his naked torso and she held him as she put her face to his chest and said, "I don't know where that came from."

 He moved her back enough so he could look into her eyes as he said, "Let's just forget it okay?"

 "I better let go of you so you can get dressed."

 He smiled and said, "It's my turn to ask you, do you realize what you just said."

 "Oh my god, that sounds so different than what the truth is."

 "More fire to drive Matt crazy with," and he smiled and retreated and got dressed. Then he said, "Let's go find something to eat and go see this Gina Mosley and the Gina's Hideaway. Um...you are ready to experience a strip club aren't you?"

 "You mean we're really staying and watching the...show or whatever?"

 "Not long, but I want to compare it to the Palace assuming that's still in operation."

 "Okay, why not. I know what naked women look like. Of course I don't have a clue how the guys behave in those places."

 "Or if they give lap dances or whatever."

 "This isn't going to be fun, but I'll bet it will be educational."



                          Chapter Six





 Like lunch had been, dinner for Jay and Casey was something they needed to do, and not something they enjoyed. With that out of the way, the GPS voice that Jay had long ago named Sexy Sally, gave them turn by turn directions to the Gina's Hideaway. It was just before seven, so with the motor and heater running to keep them warm, they sat in the car and waited those few minutes and then Jay asked, "Ready Casey?"

 "Sure, all I have to do is stand or sit there and let the world go by. It's you that has to deal with Gina or whoever." Jay just smiled and got out of the car. As they met in front of the car, Jay pushed the button and the car security alarm chirped, Jay's hand went to the small of Casey's back and they went to the strip club door.

 They saw the broad shouldered guy as soon as they pulled the door back as he said, "Welcome. The cover charge is twenty dollars a couple." Jay paid him and then said, "I'd like to speak to Gina Mosley."

 "That's not possible." There was no I'm sorry or any other pleasantries. 

 "I'm Jay Sheffield, the husband of the woman that was murdered in front of this place the other night."

 "Oh. Wait a sec," and he pulled a small phone looking device from his pocket and talked into it and the listened. "Go inside and sit at the first table to your left and she'll be out shortly."

 For whatever reason Casey said, "Maybe we could get him and that bad waitress together because they seem to have a lot in common." To her surprise Jay smiled and then looked around and she did the same. The room was dimly lit, which was no surprise to either of them, and the stage was empty, so it was even darker than the rest of the area. She didn't count them, but Casey guessed at maybe forty tables at the most, but she doubted there was ever a time that the place was filled to capacity.

 From a half hidden side door, Gina appeared and came over to them with a waitress tagging along behind. "Hi, I'm Gina. What can I get you from the bar?"

 "How about a whisky sour?" Jay said, and Casey ordered the same, so the waitress scurried off and Gina sat down. 

 "I'm Jay and this is Casey, my wife's best friend."

 "Nice to meet you both. I'm so sorry about the tragedy."

 "Thanks. Had Tanya...wait, what name was she going by?"

 "Her stage name was Wanda."

 "Damn I hate that name. So how did it happen that she ended up here?"

 "She came in and talked to me about dancing. I could tell she was no amateur, and my eyes told me she'd be very popular to say the least, and I wasn't wrong on either count. I'm curious though. How is it that all of this is new to you?"

 "It would seem that Tanya was leading a double life."

 "Oh, now that's not good."

 "No, but that's in the past now isn't it. Just how popular was she?"

 "Very. I can't say she filled the place, but despite her age, had she been available on weekends I think that could have been possible. She knew what her assets were and she knew how to use them.  All of my dancers are over eighteen of course, but most of them are under twenty two. Normally by Wanda's age of twenty eight they're a has been, at least in this area. Then looking at Casey she asked, "Do you dance?"

 Casey smiled and said, "No I don't dance."

 "Too bad, you'd do well I'm sure." Casey didn't bother to thank her. "If you're staying for the show, I'll see that Becka takes care of you."

 "We can't stay long, but...well when do the dancers start?"

 Gina looked at her watch and said, "In about ten minutes. The first one tonight is Donna. Pretty easy to look at and a fair dancer. We save the best ones until after nine depending on the crowd and the night of the week. Sorry I have to leave you, but duty calls."

 "Thanks for taking the time to talk to us."

 "Best to both of you," and she went back through the door and into her inner sanctum. 

 Jay looked at his whisky sour and told Casey, "Pretty weak drinks."

 "Yes they are. Ups the profits and probably keeps the crowd from getting out of control. You'll probably see a lot more beer bottles than glasses in the crowd tonight."

 "I'll be surprise to even see a crowd tonight."

 "I have a feeling that if Tanya chose this place, it's pretty popular. She wouldn't have danced just anywhere I'm sure."

 "That's probably right."

 The music started off slightly soft, and the stage lights came on slowly as Donna made her appearance. Casey leaned close to Jay and said loud enough to be heard over the building music, "Gina was right, she's easy on the eyes."

 "Not bad." Casey thought to herself that Jay was used to seeing the best so Donna just got a nice compliment and she'd never know it.

 Donna's routine was pretty much as Casey had assumed it would be plus a couple of nice moves thrown in. She used the pole a couple of times and little by little ended up with nothing more on than a very tiny G-string. With the appropriate bumps grinds and slick moves she collected a few bills stuffed in her G-string before she disappeared and the music stopped. Casey put her hand on Jay's arm and said, "If this is their second string, their varsity dancers must be pretty good."

 "Probably so. Ready to get out of here?"

 "I was ready to leave right after we came in." As they walked out, Casey put her arm around Jay's waist and asked him, "How are you holding up?"

 "Not worth a damn Casey," and his arm went behind her as they slowly walked to the car and got in. Jay leaned back with his head against the headrest and took a deep breath. "Damn I'm glad that's over."

 "Let's go back to the motel Jay."

 "Gladly."

 As he drove and sexy GPS Sally talked to them, Casey sat so she was half turned toward Jay, and she just watched him by the light of the dashboard. "What are you thinking Casey?" he asked her.

 "About what we just experienced and how you were able to push yourself through that. Why you did it I can only guess, but you felt you needed to do that so I'm glad you did. Like I said before, you're a lot tougher than I would have ever guessed."

 "It isn't because I'm tough, it's because I'm bull headed is all. If I had any sense we would have headed right for home."

 "I don't think that would have worked for you very well. At least you're here where your mind is, and not home thinking about this town and what happened."

 "I guess you're right." 

 That was pretty much the extent of their conversation and she resumed leaning against her headrest and watched him drive through the cold night. His face would be lit by the street lights and then quickly go dark again, only to be replaced with the next light. It was like a slow flickering movie as she watched his facial expressions or his position change light by light. She had to smile to herself when she thought back on their fights and bickering, and wondered why they had been like that. What was there about him that would set her off so quickly before? No answers came to her, but then she decided it didn't really matter anyway. She would do what she could to support him through his quest or mission, and then life would go on for both of them. Not as she would have chosen it maybe, but sometimes life didn't provide for the luxury of choice.

                          Chapter Seven





 They went into the motel and took the elevator to the second floor, turned left and went six doors down to their room on the right. Jay kicked off his shoes and sat on the bed, and Casey went to the bathroom and then came out with her shoes in hand that she dropped on the floor near the television cabinet. She sat on her bed across from Jay and asked him, "Are you going to be able to sleep tonight?"

 "I'll be okay. I'm whipped, so sleep should come pretty easy. So the strip club was pretty bad for you I'll bet."

 "Actually it was pretty much as I had imagined it would be. I don't get turned on watching women strip and hump, but it didn't bother me either. I was more concerned about what that was doing to you as you watched her."

 "To be honest I didn't watch her all that much. I couldn't."

 "Then why did you want to stay?"

 "I don't know. I guess I wanted to see for myself where Tanya was and what she might have been doing, but I couldn't stay that long. I'm sure there are lap dances and other semi legal things that go on in there, but I just wasn't strong enough to find out."

 "Jay, you were plenty strong. I'm not sure just how smart you were for putting yourself through that though. To me it was a form of self flagellation for you."

 "Maybe it was. Some day I'll be able to think straight enough to figure all of this out, but not any time soon, and for sure not tonight." She watched him as he calmly stood up and stripped to his briefs and crawled into bed, and pulled the sheet up to his chest. "Casey, I'll turn my back so you can get ready for bed without hiding in the bathroom."

 "Thank you Jay, but the bathroom is okay." She turned her bed down and then went to the bathroom, returning some ten minutes later in her pajamas and slipped into bed. Once again she was staring up at the ceiling, but this time she turned toward Jay, and in the thin light that was sneaking in around the heavy motel drapes, she could tell he was asleep. A minute later she closed her eyes and was soon asleep as well.

 Maybe it was the strange bed, or maybe because she had so much on her mind, but something woke her and that's when she realized that Jay was tossing and mumbling in his sleep. She looked over and saw that his sheet and blanket were half wadded up behind him and every minute or two he would move or change his position. She couldn't decide what to do. She wanted to help him, but would waking him up be the best answer? One thing she did know was she couldn't go back to sleep knowing that he was having such a rough night. She went over to him and timidly put her hand on his arm and waited to see what he would do. He turned back to his back so she went around to the other side and again touched him softly and waited. He seemed to settle down a little so she eased into his bed, and recovering the sheet and the light blanket, she covered both of them before lying down next to him. She turned onto her side then and carefully put her hand and arm over his belly and lay still. If that didn't work then she'd wake him and try to get him past his bad dreams. But Jay lay still then and his breathing slowed little by little.

 It was daylight before he stirred and woke her, and she heard him mumble again. She raised up enough to see the alarm clock, and was surprised to see that it was almost seven thirty. Jay moved again and mumbled something so she moved closer and whispered to him. "It's okay Jay. It's okay," and she moved her hand on his side enough for him to feel her touch. He turned to his back then and opened his eyes, but the first thing he saw was the blank white ceiling just like at home. Then he felt her touch and quickly looked toward Casey. "Good morning Jay."

 He stared at her for several seconds before he blinked and said, "Wow, was that confusing for a...wait, you're...I mean...did I get into bed with you?"

 She smiled and said, "No, I got into bed with you during the night. You were having a pretty rough time of it."

 "Was I? Oh yeah, I had some really weird and disjointed dreams. I can't even remember the details now, but I do remember they weren't good."

 "I could tell. I came over here to see if I could settle you down so you could get some sleep."

 "Sorry if I ruined your night."

 "You didn't. I put my arm over you and you settled down and we both slept for quite a long time."

 "Thanks for saving me from myself."

 She smiled and said, "You're welcome. Now you can tell Matt that we slept together too."

 That made him smile before he said, "Damn he's not going to believe anything we tell him even though it will be the truth."

 "Taken out of context we can make it sound pretty smutty and lurid."

 "We'll have to save it for a better time, but we can still have fun with it."

 "So tell me about your dreams."

 "I wish I could. All I can remember is a jumble of little bits that I can't even form into a sentence. I can however, remember feeling my heart race and a heavy sadness that seemed to follow me everywhere I went."

 "Someday maybe I'll tell you what I'm thinking right now."

 "One day?"

 "Yes, someday down the road. You know a lot of your bad dream probably is a result of watching Donna thrill her fans last night. I just hope you have a better night tonight."

 "I do too. Okay, help me with a little reality orientation. This is Sunday, right?"

 "That's right, and we're driving home, and then flying to Milwaukee late this afternoon and going to see your lawyer tomorrow."

 "Right, got it together now."

 "But you better not stay for the show at the Palace tomorrow night."

 "Maybe I won't."

 "Maybe?"

 "Okay, probably not."

 "You are such a sucker for punishment."

 "Self flagellation I believe you called it."

 "That's it exactly." 



                            Chapter Eight





 After checking out of the Hampton, they walked out and Jay hit the button on his remote. Casey smiled and said, "You really like that remote start feature don't you."

 "It's great. The motor is running while we're walking and we'll have heat in the car that much sooner. In the summer, it's the same with the air conditioning. Tanya got that for me for Christmas a couple of years ago." She looked up at him, but he was looking toward the car, and she was surprised to see that mentioning Tanya's name didn't seem to bother him.

 With Casey in Tanya's car, their drive home seemed to be taking much longer, but the stop at the rest area just east of Kalamazoo refreshed them. As they were walking back to their cars, Jay said, "By the way, thanks again for pulling me out of those damn dreams, and...well thanks for everything. All along you've been more help to me than I can say."

 "Jay, I haven't done anything but tag along and...okay and pull you away from the nightmare."

 He looked at her and with his hand just touching her low on her back, he told her, "You haven't just tagged along at all. Just having you to talk to, and to keep me in touch with the real world has meant a lot to me. I know I can be an ass sometimes, but I'm working on that. I'll be so damn glad once we're past Monday, but at the same time I'll miss your company."

 "I don't live on the moon you know, and I'm within fifteen minutes of your house twice a day going to and from work. You aren't going to get rid of me that easily."  He smiled and just told her he was glad to hear that.

 They pulled into Jay's driveway and he stopped. "Well, the first half of our mess is over."

 "And the worst half I'm sure. Talking to Crystal or whoever will be a breeze after what you've put yourself through."

 "That's what I'm talking about Casey. You keep my head straight. I feel better now just because you reminded me of the obvious. I really don't think I could have handled going to Lansing alone and I mean that."

 "I know you could have, but thank you Jay. I better freshen up and find something to pack for Milwaukee." She stopped then and turned toward him as she asked, "Are you sure me wearing her things isn't bothering you? The last thing I want to do is add to your burden."

 He went over to her and put his arms around her. Then he kissed her softly and started to say something, but realized what he had just done. He exploded and almost jumped back as he loudly said, "Damn it to hell," and he stepped over and slapped the wall. What the hell got into me? Casey I'm sorry and..."

 She went to him and with her hands on each side of his face, she sternly told him, "Jay settle down, you didn't do anything wrong."

 "The hell I didn't, I..."

 Her voice went up another step as she said, "Just stop it. Had we not been fighting all the time, we would have shared the occasional kiss even in front of Tanya. Don't become your own worst enemy Jay. Worry about the important things and pass over the other things. Now take a breath and finish telling me what you were going to say." He closed his eyes for a second and took a breath as her arms went around his waist. "We were talking about me wearing her clothes."

 "I know. Okay, what I was going to say is stop worrying about that. I don't see Tanya when you wear her things. That doesn't make me think about her now. I see you and...well that's all I guess."

 "Okay, I'll try not to worry about that again, but damn it, if I put on something that does bother you, you better tell me and I'll take it off."

 "I will."

 "One more thing."

 "Okay."

 Her voice softened as she told him, "Thank you for the kiss. That was very nice."

 He managed a smile and said, "You're welcome, and if that ever happens again I promise not to fall apart." She reached up and kissed him lightly and then moved back smiling.

 She smiled and told him, "I wanted to test you," and she headed for the bedroom.

 By the time they had both either washed or showered, added to their carry on bags and rested for an hour, it was time for them to go to the South Bend Regional Airport, and board their United flight to Milwaukee. Jay just smiled at her as he paid for both tickets and told her, "That's for me losing my cool earlier."