“Like I said, I messed up. Took some food. I like the Twinkies. And some tools. Sold ’em. Dumb, huh, but they had lots of tools. Didn’t think they’d mind.”
Roy looked at him blankly. “Do you know why you were arrested?”
The Captain was staring off now. “Still cold at night. Warm in that building. Guess I shouldn’t ate the Twinkies. They were pissed about that, right? And the tools. But it was just a couple of wrenches. Only got three bucks for ’em.”
Roy leaned back in his chair. “Did they take anything from you?”
“Who?’
“The police.”
“Like what?”
“Prints, bodily fluids?”
“They took my fingerprints.” He chuckled. “Had to clean off my fingers so they could make ’em black again. And they gave me some coffee but then they came and took it before I was done. Ticked me off.”
“Cheap trick to get your DNA.”
“What?”
“But you told them you wanted a lawyer, right?”
“That’s right. Ain’t no dummy. Twinkie shit. Need a lawyer.”
“Okay, maybe we have something to work with in case the DNA comes back bad. But then they’ll either just get a search warrant or grand jury subpoena.”
“Okay,” the Captain said, though it was clear he had no idea what Roy was talking about.
“I checked with the police, they haven’t formally charged you with trespass or anything else. But you were in the building unlawfully.”
“I’m hungry. Got any food?”
“I’ll ask the guard in a little bit.”
“It’s nice and warm in here.”
“How long have you been staying in my building?”
“Ain’t good with dates.” He laughed. “I ain’t got no social calendar, Roy.”
“Okay, how did you get into the building? Not through the front doors?”
“Garage elevator. Snuck across the lobby. Picked the right time. Recon. I was a scout in ’Nam. I was damn good at recon.”
“And the guard?”
“He ain’t a good guard. He’s almost as fat as me.”
“Yeah, I know. Then up the fire exit stairs and onto the fourth floor?”
“Warm in there. And food. Got a fridge. And a toilet. Been a long time since I used a toilet, almost forgot how. I just took the Twinkies, Roy, and the tools. Swear to God.”
“How did you know they were doing construction there?”
“Heard some guys talking about it on their lunch break.”
“And the tools?”
“Just got three bucks for ’em. Some A-rab on the street. Bet the sonofabitch cheated me. I can give ’em the three bucks and call it square,” he added hopefully.
“I don’t think they’ll go for that.”
“’Cause of the damn Twinkies, right?”
“Tell me what happened on Monday, Captain, around six in the morning.”
“Monday?” The Captain shook his head. “Monday?” he said again, his brow furrowed, his eyes vacant.
“The day before I gave you the shoes and bought you the food.”
“Okay, yeah.”
“You were in the building?”
“Oh yeah, always in the building.”
“When did you leave?”
“I got me a watch.” He held up his arm and slid back his coat sleeve to show it.
“The guard comes in at six.”
“He ain’t a good guard. He ain’t hear nothing. He’d never made it in ’Nam.” He added in a knowing tone, “He’d be dead.”
“There’s a security camera in the lobby.” The Captain stared blankly at him. “You didn’t know about that?”
The Captain shook his head. “Did it see me?”
“Apparently not. Getting back to Monday, did you see anyone at the building?” The Captain shook his head again. “What time did you leave?”
“Early.”
“Show me on your watch.”
The Captain hesitated and then pointed to the six.
“Okay, six o’clock. Can anyone vouch for that?” The man looked confused. “Did you see anyone who I can talk to that saw you leave at six, or who you might’ve talked to right after you left the building?”
“No, sir, ain’t nobody like that,” he said in a carefree tone.
“Where’d you go?”
“Down to the river. Sat on the wall and watched the sun come up. I like watching the sun come up. Ain’t as cold that way.”
Roy took a photo out of his pocket. “And you never saw this woman?” He showed him a picture of Diane Tolliver.
“Good-looking woman.”
“Do you know her?” The Captain shook his head. “Did you see her on Monday?”
“Nope, but I seen her go in the building sometimes.”
“But not on Monday morning?”
“No, sir.”
“Did you hear the elevator? You must’ve been getting ready to leave by then.”
“I didn’t hear nothing.” The Captain wiped his nose with his hand. “You think they got something to eat in this place? I’m real hungry.”
“Okay, I’ll see about it. So you’re sure you didn’t see anyone