The story so far: A day after finding out the notorious gangster Fitz O’Patrick would be set free, Nin finds herself caught in an armed robbery and forced to take lethal action. Our hero then has a run in with Mick-the-Tick, a well known pimp who is in some hot water.
A young girl is in Cook County Hospital after being found, beaten, in a motel room 15 miles outside the city. Her name is Penny Miles. Penny is recovering in her bed, reading old newspaper headlines about the big criminal trial. The next time the mayor beats her she may not survive. Penny asks for a nurse.
Captain Newton’s office phone rings. “Hello,” the captain answers.
“This is Nurse Betty over at Cook County Hospital. We have a young lady here named Penny Miles whose pimp has beaten her. She’s requesting to talk to one of your officers.”
“Ma’am, you want Vice. Captain Davidson. This is the Homicide Department,” Captain Newton replies.
“OK. Is that where I can find Nina?” the woman asks.
“Please hold, ma’am.” Captain Newton buzzes Nina’s desk.
“Hello,” Nina says.
“Pick up line 3,” Captain Newton replies.
Nina transfers to line 3. “Nina speaking.”
“Hello, detective,” Betty says. “I have a lady here who wants to talk to you.”
“Did she say why?” Nina asks.
“No, she wouldn’t say,” Betty replies.
“But I can tell you her pimp put her here. She’s been here before for beatings.”
“OK, tell her I’ll be there in a few hours,” Nina says, and hangs up.
Meanwhile, Mick the Tic is downstairs in lockup. The judge wouldn’t give him bond. He has one count of pimping and a charge of gambling. He needs to be on the street running his business or the ladies will be an easy pickup for new pimps.
He’s been to prison twice for pimping. If he’s convicted this time, he won’t get out again. He does have a get out of jail free card, but he’s not sure if he wants to play it. It could get him murder. He needs to talk to Nina. She knows street life. “She’ll understand what I say without telling her,” he thinks.
Nina’s phone rings. Captain Newton tells her to pick up line 1. “Hello,” Nina says.
“Hello, Detective. This is Officer Paul down in lockup. I have a pimp down here requesting to talk to you.”
“I’ll be right down,” Nina says. She reloads Harry and walks to the captain’s office. “How are the three officers who were shot this morning?” she asks the captain.
“One died. The other two are recovering in the hospital,” Captain Newton responds. “Oh, I’ve got a call from the guys at Vice. They say that was some good shooting this morning. Not too many people can hit a fast-moving target with a hand gun.”
Nina smiles. “Thank you, sir.” Nina leaves and goes downstairs to lockup. She walks up to Mick’s cell, smiling, and says, “Mick, I don’t make deals with pimps.” Mick is standing near the bars. Nina says, “Mick, are you ready to snitch on someone?”
“What? Me? No, ma’am cakes,” Mick replies.
“Don’t call me that again,” Nina says. “It looks to me that Jheri Curl is drying. Tomorrow it will look like a dry mop.” She laughs. “You better really have something good.”
“If I tell you what it’s about, you have to get me out of this,” Mick says. Nina laughs and turns to walk away. “Wait,” Mick shouts.
Nina comes back. “OK. Let’s hear it.” Mick pauses and Nina thinks, “I’m not going to play riddles with him.” She yells, “Jailer, bring me the keys to this cell.”
“Hold it,” Mick says. “Don’t come in and I’ll tell you. I know where there are pictures of the mayor.”
“Doing what?” Nina asks.
“If I give them to you, will you get me out?”
“I can’t make you any deals,” Nina says. “It would have to go though my captain, but I’ll see. What’s your part in all of this?”
“I was hired to take pictures of a man in a motel with my girl,” Mick says.
“Let me guess; her name is Penny,” Nina says.
“How did you know that?” Mick asks.
“Mick, if she tells me you put her in that hospital, I will be back with my own key,” Nina says. “If this checks out, I’ll be back. You’re safer in here than out there because I know you. Keep copies for yourself. Let’s hope the mob doesn’t figure it out.”
Nina turns and walks away. Her mind spins, thinking, “Mayor, I’m coming.” She gets in her car and rolls toward the hospital.
