Marina Subs

Previously: Jeannie, Mark, and Paco chat with Ryan Dominguez about his friend Alexa Thomas, and learn some details about the Gatsby Halloween party at Tripp Hartman’s house.

2:03 PM - Saturday, November 1, 2014

Cow Hollow, San Francisco

“If I don’t eat soon, I’m going to pass out.” Mark said to the two of them.

“Same.” Paco agreed.

“How about Marina Subs? It’s right here.” Jeannie indicated the submarine shop that was right across the street from Rose’s, and far less crowded. “I know it doesn’t look like much, but trust me, everyone comes here. Locals only.”

“Who am I to refuse a local favorite?” Mark replied, the three of them crossing the street. 

“You’ll love it. They toast them and everything.” Mark appreciated this detail. Jeannie seemed to know a lot about a lot. “Can you order me an Avocado sub with cheddar, no onions, but ask him to add turkey please? I know, it doesn’t make sense, but it’s the easiest way to order it.” Jeannie asked. “I need the loo.”

Mark and Paco got in line, with only 3 customers ahead of them, and about 4-5 people seated at the formica tables. He hoped Jeannie knew what she was talking about. Mark considered Paco, trying to figure out where to begin now they were alone.

“Jeannie seems to know everyone and everything.” Mark said simply.

“Yeah, she kind of does.” Paco replied. “I’ve only been here 2 years or so, Berkeley longer, so I know spots over there more.”

“Really? Any favorites? My wife and I live in Rockridge, so we like Berkeley. The student spots are fun, and there’s a great deli on Shattuck that we like…”

“Do you mean Saul’s?” The line was moving up. “With the booths and the incredible pastrami?”

“Yeah - that’s the spot!” Paco actually cracked a slight smile.

“I love Saul’s. Of course, I’m a New Yorker originally, so I like having something authentic nearby. I must go there twice a month.”

“Okay, but have you tried the Brisket Bubbe? It’s fantastic. It’s not listed with the other sandwiches, but it’s great - there’s this spicy middle eastern sauce on it. Ah - so good.”

“I’m writing this down.” Mark pulled out his trusty notes app and added “Saul’s - Brisket Bubbe” to his list. They were motioned to the front of the deli counter and ordered, grabbing chips for all of them too. Mark paid for all of them knowing he could expense it easily. Jeannie waved them over from the table by the window that had just opened up. Without her uniform cap she looked much prettier. The curls were coming loose where they could, the almond-shaped green eyes more transparent without the shading of the cap visor, and her brow was high and clear. A natural blush matched the pale shade of pink on her full cupid’s bow lips. Whoever she ended up with was lucky.

“So, what did you guys get?” She asked.

“Italian Combo for me,” Mark said, clearing his throat, wondering if Paco noticed Jeannie’s appeal. 

“And I got the Reunion - turkey, jack, and bacon.” Paco added, sliding into the booth. “It’s a shame though - Meg, in our office, ordered a ton of sandwiches from Marina Deli for everyone.”

“Mmm….” Jeannie assented, sipping on a Diet Coke. “They’re really good - they have this breakfast sandwich called “The Hangover” - it’s excellent, and built for two. It’s huge.”

“I’m getting you guys like to eat too.” Mark said, smiling a little. The trio chuckled a little, just as their order number was called. Jeannie bounced up to get it, returning with a tray of sandwiches. They started unwrapping the paper around the warm subs, and took their first bites. 

“So Paco,” Mark began, “what was that you called me earlier…wasi-ch or something?” Paco chuckled.

“Wasichu. I called you a wasichu.” Jeannie had a wicked smile on her face.

“And you,” he said to Jeannie, “you clearly know what it means.” Jeannie gave him a pair of big, innocent eyes over the top of her sandwich, clearly enjoying herself.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” She said, taking a big bite. Paco laughed.

“Man, a wasichu means “white man”.” Paco said. “You wouldn’t know a Native American tribe if it bit you on the ass. You’re a classic white man.”

“Hey - I’m a Jew. A New Yorker too. There’s no way that I’m a white man.” Mark asserted, looking at him. Paco smiled.

“You’re whiter than me; I think you’re whiter than Jeannie.” Paco said, glancing across the table. “In the scale of whiteness at this table, you’re the whitest.”

“He’s definitely whiter than me. And I’m a lily.” Jeannie said. Mark was trying not to feel offended and keep his sense of humor too. He laughed in spite of himself.

“Look man, it’s no big deal, just trying to get a rise, see what you’re made of…” Paco offered, looking at him. Mark could tell it was true, and he respected him for trying to get his goat. Mark smiled at him a little. 

“Okay. I deserve being a wasichu, I guess.” Paco looked at him sideways with a smile. He heard Jeannie chuckle from across the table. “But what I want to know is, if you’re not Paco as in “Frank”, what does it mean?” Paco raised an eyebrow as he swallowed and took a drink.

“My name is William, or Billy. But when I joined the Park Police, my winatun - that’s the sub chief - renamed me “Pacomio” after José Pacomio Poqui - a Chumash revolutionary and police commissioner.” He took a second to let that sink in. “He led the Chumash revolt of 1824 - one of the largest native uprisings against the Spanish in New Spain. Basically, it was a revolt at three of the Spanish Missions down near Santa Barbara. He led the revolt against the Mexican army, eventually surrendered and served 10 years in prison for it. After prison, they made him police commissioner in Monterey.” Paco smiled a little. “My winatun, and my tribe, thought it was a powerful name for my new career.” Mark couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Jeannie too, looked stunned, but it quickly melted into a look of respect.

“Wow.” Jeannie smiled at him. “That’s so cool. I feel like I have the most basic name now.” She giggled. He smiled at her. “Does anyone still call you Billy?”

“Sometimes. Back home.” He paused. “My partner, Imogen, she calls me Billy, but only when we’re alone.” He blushed and looked down at the rest of his sandwich. “In America names don’t mean much of anything.”

“I was named for that actress from Singin’ in the Rain? You know? The one that can’t talk?” Mark chuckled. He knew the name sounded familiar. “That and my Dad loved the novels of Jean Le Carré - I think he secretly wanted to be a spy.”

“Didn’t we all?” Mark said. Jeannie laughed a little.

“Well, it’s almost 2:30,” Jeannie said, as she chewed “what else can we get done today, other than make fun of Mark?” Mark considered this and smiled.

“We still haven’t heard from the Coroner.” He said. The three were quiet.

“What do you guys think of the Thomases?” Paco ventured.

“They’re really nice.” Jeannie offered in a sad tone. “They seem really on top of things for parents at that level, kind too.”

“I agree.” Mark added, thoughtfully. “I hate this though. They had a great kid, it sounds like, and they’re a nice family. They didn’t deserve this.” Jeannie nodded.

“You have to keep referring to her in the present tense.” Jeannie said to him quietly, their eyes meeting. “They still don’t know, and no one else does either. We don’t even know 100%. She could have swapped costumes with someone - I don’t know. Teen girls do wild shit in the moment.” Jeannie got quiet and swallowed. “I mean, it’s highly unlikely it’s anyone else, of course, I’m a realist, but I keep telling myself that to keep it straight.” Mark took a deep breath. She was right. For all purposes, Alexa Thomas was still alive, just missing. A million teens go missing every day, probably more on Halloween night. 

“That Dagonet dude seems like someone we should meet though.” Paco offered, crunching a wodge of chips.

“I was thinking the same thing,” Jeannie added, pulling a few useless napkins from the holder. Mark always called them “single-use” napkins. The kind that live in the old-style silver diner napkin holders; they’re usually wedged in too tightly and cause a fight. But if you can pull them out, the moment you touch one, it’s done. Forget about it if you have a greasy burger or some kind of breakfast syrup to deal with. They’re useless napkins. “I was thinking Charlie Dagonet should be our next stop.” Jeannie’s brow furrowed as she looked from Paco to Mark.

“But we can’t say anything to him.” Mark said, “or ask him about Alexa, really. He’ll know something’s up.”

“So we don’t.” Jeannie said, pulling a slice of avocado out of her sandwich and slurping it down. “We ask him about the drugs. Scare him a little.” She looked at Mark and raised her eyebrows in a question. “It doesn’t sound like anyone’s into Alexa from the boys’ side other than Seb. It sounds like she was off-limits to all the other guys, either because of Sebastian, or because Alexa made it known she wasn’t interested. But, if Charlie had the drugs, that means he knew what was up with the party. So he probably at least knows who the players are, and that’s what we need right now.”

Mark looked back at her. She’s fucking smart, and good at this for a rookie. He nodded, eventually. “Okay.” Mark said, “Paco?”

“Yeah, okay. I get what you’re saying.” Paco’s sandwich was gone. He must have inhaled it in four bites. “But, don’t you think Ryan’s story was a little all over the place?”

“What do you mean?” Jeannie leaned back against the booth.

“Well,” Paco began, “it just seemed like he wasn’t sure about a lot of it. Sounded like a lot of rumors to me.” Jeannie tilted her head.

“Yeah that’s true.” She paused, thoughtfully. “It’s also interesting that both the Tahoe party and the Halloween party were at Tripp Hartman’s houses.”

“Yeah - I got that too.” Mark added. “And Spiro didn’t know who was hosting last night, just that it was on Presidio Terrace and it was “some kid”.”

“What does that tell you?” Paco asked, puzzled.

“Well,” Jeannie began slowly, eyes wide, “Either he forgot, or Alexa didn’t tell him the specifics. Which, makes you think that she didn’t want her parents to know she was going to another party at Tripp Hartman’s when the one at Tahoe ended the way it did.”

“Yeah, that makes sense.” Paco took a deep breath. “The parents may not have liked that idea. But then you have to wonder why she’d want to go at all.”

“Well, the social life of these fancy schools is pretty insular. I think you either join in or you become kind of an outcast. Maybe she wanted to just be with her friends and make it like it wasn’t a big deal. She also probably wanted to show off the dress she made.” Jeannie offered, eyebrows raised. “Still, if she wasn’t dating Seb Podesta any more, it does beg the question.”

“Maybe that’s why we talk to Charlie - see what he can confirm?” Paco asked.

“Alright.” Mark began. “We pay Charlie Dagonet a visit, but no mention of Alexa Thomas. You’re leading.” He nodded at her. “You’re good at it, Jeannie.” Her face brightened.

“Thanks!” She said, half smiling at him. “I like scaring young men - payback for the years they scared the shit out of me.” Jeannie plucked a golden, oval potato chip from the bag and chomped it whole.