Imperfect Truth

by C. A. Popovich

  Debby and Kelly dropped into the chairs in the cafeteria. “Whew. I think the worst is over.” Kelly took a long drink of water.

  “Yeah. You and your nurses did an excellent job of containing that infection so quickly.”

  “I’m sorry that we lost Mrs. Martinez, but she was the only one. Mr. Kline is doing well, and the couple who developed pneumonia, are doing much better. We can’t let down our guard, yet, but this could’ve been much worse.” Kelly bit into her sandwich, looking thoughtful. “Did you know Janis still hasn’t gotten hold of the Martinez grandson?”

  “Fernanda only died yesterday. He could be out of town for the holidays or something.” Debby speared a piece of chicken off the top of her salad with her fork.

  “Yeah. I guess he left the name of a funeral home and instructions for her body, but he hasn’t shown up or returned messages. I would have thought he’d care that she died. His wife hasn’t been around either. It’s weird because they used to visit every day.”

  “They’re newlyweds. Maybe they went on a honeymoon cruise or something.” Debby sat back and took a sip of coffee.

  “Maybe, but it’s still weird. Anyway, I’ve got to get back to my reports. We have a ton of information to input into the computers. Have a good New Year’s Eve. I’ll see you Saturday. I’m off tomorrow.”

  Debby sat drinking her coffee and thinking about Alex. It had been a long week of keeping up with antibiotic medications. She was tired and still had half a day to go. She wondered if Alex was allowed to do anything tonight. She looked forward to a quiet night on the couch, watching the crystal ball drop in Times Square with Buddy, and a bowl of popcorn, though it would have been so much better to do it with Alex at her side. She went back to her desk to finish her workday and lost herself in the fantasy of what it would be like to start over in a new state, with a new name, and Alex. Indecision still roiled in her stomach, and she didn’t have much time.

  *

  Alex and Jennifer set the tiny TV on top of a box they had positioned on a table by the window. Alex fiddled with the rabbit ears until the picture cleared. Their plan was to watch the crowds in Times Square and toast in the New Year with a bottle of wine. Alex wished it were with Debby instead, and wondered what she was doing tonight. Was she going out to the bars with Kelly? Was she going over to Kristen’s? The thought of the wonderfully normal, loving life Debby led made Alex’s heart ache. She couldn’t take her away from all that, not to live the life of chaos and uncertainty. They sat on the lumpy couch and put their feet up on milk crates. Abby curled up in her bed on the floor. The domestic scene would have felt normal, if they had been at home. One more day. Joe had come by to confirm the raid was the next day. Surely he’d be back to tell them they could go home.

  Alex filled a plate with cheese and crackers and poured them each a glass of white wine.

  “Here we are. The finest wine and hors d’oeuvres the government can buy.” She set the plate on a flat area of the couch and handed Jennifer her wine.

  “Do we have to wait till midnight to drink this?” Jennifer asked.

  “Heck no.” Alex took a swallow of hers and offered a toast. “To spending New Year’s Eve in a safe house.”

  Jennifer groaned and finished her glass in two gulps. “It’s a good thing we bought four bottles.” She stood to refill her glass.

  “Here.” Alex finished hers and handed her empty glass to Jennifer for a refill. “It is a good thing.”

  They were making fun of people’s outfits in Times Square, when Alex heard the chirping of their burn phone coming from the drawer in her bedroom. She stood unsteadily to retrieve it. Joe might have news.

  Unknown caller.

  She answered anyway. “Hello.”

  “Alex, it’s me, Debby. I’m sorry to call you on this number, but I had to hear your voice.”

  Alex took the phone into the closet but still whispered. “I’m glad you did, love, but we can’t talk long. I miss you.”

  “I miss you, too. Are you okay?”

  “Yes. Fine. How did you get this number?” She realized it would be in Debby’s phone from when she had called her. And this is why I’d be a terrible spy. “Never mind. It’s in your phone, isn’t it?”

  “Yeah. I just thought of it today when Buddy and I were sitting on the couch missing you. I was worried Joe might have moved you already and I’d never see you again. So, what’s your status? Are they moving you tomorrow?”

  “God, I don’t know for sure. Joe will let us know in the morning. Right now, Dad is in his room probably sleeping, and Jen and I are drinking wine and watching Times Square.” Alex cringed at the normalcy of their conversation knowing that the situation was anything but normal.

  “Me, too. Only not with wine. I’m having popcorn. Feel me kissing you at midnight, baby. And please call if you can. I don’t want to lose you.”

  “Oh, I will. You feel my kisses, too, love. If I have to go, I swear I’ll find you, somehow. I’ll figure out a way, even if I have to leave the program.” Alex stifled the threatening tears. She needed to cling to a sliver of hope. Her chest tightened as if her heart was being torn from her body.

  “I want you safe. You do whatever Joe tells you to do. I’ve spent years denying myself love because of fear. I’m not afraid anymore, because I believe we were meant to be together. We’ll find each other again. Somehow. I love you.”

  They disconnected the call and Alex’s lightheadedness had nothing to do with wine.

  *

  Alex rolled over, swallowing against the queasiness in her belly and squeezing her eyes shut to lessen the throbbing in her head. She vowed never to drink wine again when the blare of the cell phone on the milk crate serving as her nightstand, seeped into her soggy mind. She grabbed it and sat up.

  “Joe?” She used a flashlight to check her watch. Four fifteen.

  “Yes. I’m at my office and can’t leave for a while, so I need you guys to stay inside and absolutely no calls out with this phone. I’ll call you when I know what’s happening. Martinez has moved up the time of the drug move, so the FBI has initiated the raid. Keep away from the windows and keep them, and the doors, locked. I’ll call before I come over, understand? Don’t open the door to anyone.”

  “Yes. We’ll be waiting for your call.” Alex closed the phone and lay down to still her heart rate. Today. It could happen today. We could be free, somewhat. Maybe. She took some aspirin for her aching head and went to wake up her dad and Jen. She took Abby out quickly, staying as close to the house as she could, before darting back inside.

  As they were shifting furniture, Jennifer asked, “So why are we moving the table away from the window this early in the morning?”

  “Joe called earlier and told me that Martinez has started moving the drugs out of the warehouse, so the FBI is raiding the place now. He said to lock all the doors and windows and stay inside.” She poured herself a cup of coffee and sat next to Jennifer. “Thanks for making coffee.”

  “Did Joe tell you anything else?” her father asked.

  “No, Dad. Just that he was at his office and couldn’t leave yet. He’ll call before he comes over and we’re not to answer the door to anyone but him.” She sipped her coffee and scrutinized the darkness outside the window, wondering how long they would have to wait.

  *

  Alex recoiled at the pounding on the door. She grabbed Jennifer’s hand and pulled her under the table, while her father crept to the wall behind the door ready to stop anyone from entering.

  “It’s me, Joe. It’s safe to open the door.”

  Alex exhaled in relief and Jennifer crawled out from under the table.

  “You scared the shit out of us. You were supposed to call before you came over.” Her father ran his hand through his disheveled hair and sat at the table.

  “I thought it would be better if I made a lot of noise. I figured you wouldn’t believe a bad guy would be so loud. I was in a hurry and tired. No excuse for not calling first. Sor
ry. I just wanted to get to you with the news.”

  “Just sit your ass down and tell us what’s going on.” Jennifer picked up her cup and set it back down with shaky hands.

  “Wait a second.” Alex stood and grabbed a package of bran muffins from the refrigerator and set them on the table.

  Joe poured a cup of coffee and sat across from Jennifer. “The raid is over. The FBI surrounded the warehouse and charged in about three hours ago.” He took a sip of coffee and rolled his shoulders. He looked as if he hadn’t slept any more than they had. “The good news is that Miguel Martinez is dead. Shot and killed. The bad news is that Phil was shot, and is in surgery as we speak.”

  Jennifer gasped and wrapped her arms around herself.

  “We also lost two agents in the machine gun fire.” Joe tipped his head back and rubbed his neck.

  “In surgery where?” Jennifer stood and began pacing.

  “I’ll take you all there, when you’re ready.” Joe smiled and sipped his coffee. “There was paperwork with your names on it, and a couple of pictures of Alex as well. We probably moved you just in time, frankly. But with Martinez dead, you’re safe. Safe as you can be, for the moment. You can go back to your lives here.”

  “We’re ready. Let’s go.” Jennifer grabbed her coat, slipped on her boots, and raced out the door, with Alex and their dad right behind her.

  Alex ran down the steps, and when the fresh air hit her, the fear lifted. I’m coming, baby.

  Chapter Thirty

  Jennifer hopped out of the SUV as soon as Joe pulled into a parking spot at the hospital.

  “Hang on, we’re coming with you. Joe knows where he is.” Alex rushed to put on her gloves.

  “Alex. Here.” Joe tossed her the burn phone and grinned.

  “Thanks.” She rushed after Jennifer, the phone a beacon of hope in her hand.

  They hurried to the surgical floor and waited for Joe and their dad before following the nurse to the waiting room filled with Phil’s fellow officers and detectives.

  “Which one of you is Jennifer?” A burly dark haired policeman with sparkling blue eyes stood looking between her and Jennifer.

  “I am.” Jennifer moved closer to him and shook his hand. “And this is my sister, Alex.”

  “It’s good to meet you both. I’m Sergeants Mills. Phil’s told me all about you. A woman named Debra Johnson gave me an envelope for Phil, which I managed to get to him a couple of weeks ago. He asked me to give you this, in case he couldn’t.” The sergeant handed Jennifer a small box wrapped in paper covered in hearts.

  “Thank you, Sergeant.” Jennifer looked at the tiny box in her hand and tears welled.

  Alex thanked him as well and sat in one of the chairs against the back of the waiting room. Her hand trembled as she dialed Debby’s number.

  You have reached the voice mail of Debra Johnson. Please leave a message.

  “Debby, it’s Alex. It’s…it’s over. I’m at the hospital downtown, waiting for Phil to get out of surgery. Call me on this number whenever you get a chance. I love you.”

  She closed the phone and went to wait with Jennifer.

  “Is there a Jennifer Reed here?” The nurse called from the entry to the waiting room.

  “Yes. I’m Jennifer Reed.” Jennifer pushed through the mass of blue uniforms.

  “Phillip Donohue is out of surgery, and he asked for you.” The mass of police pushed closer to hear the nurse. “He’s in recovery and it’ll be a little while before I can take you, or anyone, back to see him though.” She spoke to the group and smiled. “He’s resting comfortably and the doctor will be out shortly to fill everyone in on his condition.” She disappeared back through the door, and Sergeant Mills slipped his arm around Jennifer and hugged her.

  Alex watched the exchange with gratitude. It seemed Jennifer had found a warm and loving extended family. She worried about the risks of Phil’s job but understood what it meant to love someone enough to accept them. She wished Debby would call.

  Joe stood and checked his watch but didn’t make a move to leave.

  “Do we have time?” Alex asked.

  Joe smiled and hugged her. “All the time in the world. I’ll have to get back to my office and finish up my report later, but you take all the time you need. Oh, before I forget, I wanted to tell you that the FBI went to the Martinez house. It’s vacant. Completely cleaned out and no sign of his wife. They must have planned on moving on as soon as they’d moved the shipment.” She paled slightly. “And dealt with us.”

  “Huh. I wonder if his wife left him when she saw he was about to get caught.”

  “I’m going to get a cup of coffee. Can I bring you one?” Her dad had been sitting quietly, reading a month old Sports Illustrated.

  “I’m good, thanks.” Joe concentrated on his cell phone.

  “Thanks, Dad.” She glanced at Jennifer, who sat with a few of Phil’s fellow officers. She was smiling as they shared stories with her. “I’ll go with you.”

  Alex and her father stood in the line at the hospital cafeteria. “Jennifer looks happy,” he said.

  “Yes, and I’m happy for her. How are you holding up?” She filled a Styrofoam cup with acidic smelling coffee and added cream.

  “I’m glad Martinez is dead. I wish I knew how Willy was doing. He might be dead or in prison. But then, I guess he was one of the bad guys.” He sighed and shook his head. “Those drugs are insidious. I think he was recruited from NA by the cartel. I remember seeing him with some shady guys after a meeting one night. They probably promised him the moon and delivered only grief.”

  “You’re probably right. We’ll ask Joe if he knows what happened to him. I’m proud of you, you know.” Alex grimaced as she took a sip of the black swill.

  “Proud of me? How so?” He took a drink of his coffee and coughed. “This stuff is awful.”

  “Yes, it is. I’m proud of you for sticking to your program and trying to help Willy. If he’d been in a place to hear you, he might have been able to stay away from Martinez. We’ll never know if he knew about you before Willy told him or not.”

  “I’ve learned a lot about myself from NA, but I can only pass that on and hope it helps someone.” He filled a cup with coffee and they went back to join Jennifer.

  “I brought you a cup of coffee, hon, but you better take a small taste before you drink much. I got spoiled with your coffee.” Her father held out the Styrofoam cup to Jennifer.

  “Thanks, Dad.” She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed his cheek before stepping back and taking her coffee. “I’m sorry for lashing out at you before. I was just so frustrated and angry.”

  “I know. We’ve been through a trying time, but I think it’s made us stronger and more connected. I love you, and I want you to be happy. Both of you.” He set his cup on a table and opened his arms. Alex and Jennifer both stepped in for a hug.

  “Look.” Jennifer took a step back and held up her left hand wiggling her ring finger. A medium sized round diamond sparkled under the fluorescent lights.

  “Beautiful. I’m so happy for you,” Alex said. She wished Debby would call.

  *

  Debby stopped at the desk on the first floor of the hospital. “I’m looking for a patient named Philip Donohue.” She waited, hoping the clerk wouldn’t ask questions she couldn’t answer.

  “Ah. The police detective. He’s still on the surgical floor in recovery. Fourth floor, the elevators are to your right. You’ll know where to wait.” She smiled and pointed down the hallway.

  “Thank you.” Debby rushed to the elevator and pushed the up arrow several times. “Come on,” she muttered.

  She faltered slightly when she approached the waiting room and saw the mass of blue uniforms. Alex sat dozing on the end of a row of seats next to her father. Debby took a second to appreciate the sight of her, looking beautiful, if exhausted, before winding her way through the police officers to sit next to her. Her dad smiled and nodded to her. She gently slid her arm
around Alex’s shoulders and kissed her head when she leaned and rested it on her shoulder.

  “Mm. If I’m dreaming, I don’t want to wake up.” Alex put her arm across her waist and snuggled into her.

  “You’re not dreaming. I’m here, and I’m not leaving.”

  A lean man in scrubs and a surgical hat poked his head into the room. “Jennifer Reed?”

  “Here.” Jennifer rushed to the door.

  “I’m Dr. Flint. Phil is awake and asking for you.” He looked up and addressed the room since it was filled with cops who wanted answers. “He was lucky he was wearing his bulletproof vest. We removed two bullets from his arm and one in his leg. One bullet grazed his neck and just missed his carotid artery. He’ll need to rest and heal, but I believe he’ll recover.”

  “Can my sister and dad come in with me?” Jennifer asked.

  Dr. Flint scanned the room. Debby wondered how he was going to keep that many police officers from following Jennifer.

  “Okay. We’ll go three at a time.” He moved aside so Jennifer, Alex, and their dad could pass him. “When they’re done, you can go three at a time, but remember to let him rest.”

  “I’ll be here waiting.” Debby squeezed Alex’s hand. She didn’t want to let go, but she knew Alex needed to support Jen. She couldn’t wait to talk about everything, to see where things stood. As Alex looked back at her over her shoulder, her heart swelled with thanks that she was safe. As long as she was safe, they could work anything else out.

  *

  “Hey, baby. How are you feeling?” Jennifer grasped Phil’s hand and leaned to kiss him.

  “Like I’ve been shot.” He grinned and coughed.

  Jennifer poured some water from a small pitcher by the bed into a plastic cup with a straw sticking out the top. “Here, take a sip.” He sat up and she held the cup until he finished and lay back.

  “Thanks, honey.” He reached to stroke her cheek, but the IV in his hand stopped the motion.