The Brooklyn Sisters - @Short Story

Part 5

The Brooklyn Sisters   

by sloanranger 

Part  5

Detective Hardiman turned his attention back to Dotty, now.

"Ma'am, can you tell me what happened here before the police came?"

"Well, I'm not exactly sure," she said, turning to her sister.                        

"How come Al came home so early, Ange. Do you know?"

Angie shrugged ignorance. "I don't." She turned the question back to the cop.

"Why would he do that, Officer?"

"Wait," Dotty's eyes narrowed to slits and she addressed the detective: "Did old lady Steinbeiser call you?"

"I can't give you that information, Ma'am."  He cleared his throat again.

Dotty asked: "Do you have a cold, Officer?"

"Ah, no, thank you. Did your husband arrive home in an inebriated state?"

"In a what-state?" Dotty asked.

"Was he drunk when he got here?" Angela translated.

Hardiman and Dotty turned together and looked at Angie.

"Will you listen to my little sister?" Dotty beamed: "One correspondent course and just listen, will you."

"Brains too," Hardiman said. "Very nice."

"Oh, Officer," Angie cooed. "You're sweet."

"He's right, Angela. Don't be so modest. "Then to Hardiman, "My little sister, ain't gonna end up with no bum like I did."

"Where are my manners?" Dotty said, all of a sudden remembering she had company. Wiping the table she continued:

"You have a seat right here, Officer Hardiman, and have a drink with us."

The cop smiled and tried to decline.

"Ladies, thank you, no." He said, chuckling. "I'm still on duty."

But he sat down in the chair Dotty pulled out for him.

"Oh, Officer Hardiman," Angie wheedled. "It's almost dark - whyn't you have a drink with us?" 

"Well, I guess there's no harm, technically I was off ten minutes ago," he said, still chuckling.

(To be continued).