by M. Stratton
“Let’s. Harris, why don’t you check the back room.”
“Again? We already did that.”
“Do you really want to argue?”
“No.”
Bender nodded at Roger who followed Harris toward the back of the bar. “Where you want to do this?”
“Since I’m in uniform, we’ll do this here where there are witnesses. Otherwise, I might not be able to control myself and I’ll give you the ass kicking I’ve always wanted to.”
“You couldn’t do it in high school; you sure as hell can’t do it now.” Bender made a point of looking at his sizeable stomach. “Don’t they have physical requirements to be a cop?”
“Fuck off.”
Bender spread his arms, “Ahhh . . . It’s good to see some things never change.” He folded his arms across his chest and leaned against the wall. “Now, what do you want?”
“Seems you had a run in with a couple of guys the other night.”
“By run in, I’m assuming you mean I saw them on the street the other night and talked them into not mugging a local business owner; then yes, I did see them.”
“You didn’t, oh, I don’t know, use your fists on them?”
“No. Here’s a newsflash for you; sometimes it works out better if you use your brain and not your fists to get out of certain situations you don’t like.”
“Oh, Bender, you’re so smart now, aren’t you? How long did it take you to learn that?”
“I learned it a lot quicker than you did, that’s for damn sure.” Bender didn’t even flinch when the cop lunged at him his fist pulled back to punch him in the face. He knew it was coming; he was so predictable. “Yeah, some things never change. Seriously, can we get on with this? I do have a hot date.”
“Yeah, in your dreams.”
“No, in your dreams. Do I need to remind you of our high school days? I seem to remember getting the girl.”
“Fuck you.”
“Oh, please, keep it up. I’d love to file a report with your superior.”
“It seems these two gentlemen want to file a complaint against you.” He pulled a couple of pictures out and showed them to Bender. “They say you did this to them.”
Bender took the pictures and looked at them. They were of the two guys he stopped from mugging Stormy. “I didn’t lay a hand on them.”
He smiled. “Well, see it’s like this, your word against theirs, two against one. Who do you think the judge is going to believe?”
“Me.”
“Keep dreaming. I’ve got it all right here. They filled out a report. You’re going down.”
“Can I see that?”
“Do you need help with the big words?”
“What’s a big word to you? Something with more than five letters?” He grabbed the paper and read it quickly. Remembering the time on the video Murdoch showed him, he knew this was a false report, and the pictures were old. He folded the report back up and handed it to him. “You’re on the take.”
All the color drained from the cop’s face. “You’ve got a lot of nerve there, Bender.”
“Always did, but you didn’t defend yourself. How long? Out of everyone, I never thought you’d cave.”
“You don’t know shit.”
“Tell me I’m wrong.” He walked closer to him so they were almost nose to nose. “Look me in the eye and tell me I’m wrong.”
They stood there staring at each other, Bender hoping he was wrong. They were never best buds, but he’d known this guy for a long time. He used to be a stand-up guy, wanting to do right over wrong. If he was on Mick’s payroll, how the mighty had fallen.
“I’ve got a family, man.” His voice lowered. “A wife and kids. I’ve got to protect them first. Those of us who have grown up and who care more for others think of their safety first. Not just when we’re going to stick our dick in some female.”
“How long?”
“Just since the new management came in. We all learned real quick it was better if we went along with what they needed.”
“You want this to end.”
“Shit, what do you think?”
“Yeah, well, are you going to do anything about it?”
“I’ll have to think about it.”
“Don’t take too long.”
“Yeah, well, we’ll see. We’ve got to go.” He turned and yelled, “Harris. Time to go.”
Bender watched the two of them leave the bar. Even with knowing the cop for so long, he didn’t know which side he’d choose; and even then, if he wouldn’t end up playing one against the other.
“Hey, boss, you got a few?”
“Yeah, what’s up?”
“I’m going to make sure they didn’t leave anything behind.”
“Good idea. Also, change the locks tonight.”
“We just did it last week.”
“Yeah, well, until this is over we need the electronic locks to cycle every three minutes, passwords updated every twenty-seven, and key locks every other day.’
“Paranoid much?”
“I don’t want any surprises or anything to end up missing. They’re on the take.”
“Not surprising.”
“I think most of the force is.”
“So does Murdoch.”
“That’s going to make it much more difficult for us.”
“We’ve faced worse.”
Thinking back to the video he saw earlier, he said, “I don’t think so. Watch your back. Trust no one.”
“Sure thing, Mulder.”
Bender scowled at him. “You are no Scully.”
“What? I’ve got a great ass.”
“Keep dreaming. I’m out.”
“Hey, Bender.” When he stopped, Roger continued. “Watch out for her. I get the feeling Nutter wants her bad. I’ve heard all the talk on the street. He’s paying big for any information on her.”
“Yeah, I got that.” He was sure the bloody picture Nutter painted of her was burned into his memory forever. He sent out a quick text to Murdoch. The old coot didn’t sleep much and, sure enough, a few seconds later his reply came back. Quickly Bender drove to their meeting place, dreading any update he may have for him.
Standing under the bridge waiting for Murdoch to show up, Bender kicked the toe of his boot in the mud and listened to the flow of the river. He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and tried to calm the rage that filled him. He should be relieved his cover was still in place, but the fact everyone from his past always thought the worst of him burned his ass.
“Let it go; just let it go, boy.”
“Let what go?”
“Your rage, your anger, your past. You are who you are now; don’t let the past define you, even now when you are home.”
“This isn’t my home.”
“It was, and it can be again.”
He could feel the old man’s eyes staring at him. “No.”
“You could save the neighborhood and stay, put down your roots here.”
“No.”
“Stubborn ass.”
“Takes one to know one.”
“Ha-hee, you got that shit right. Now what is so important you had to drag me out of my nice warm bed?”
“Mick and Nutter.”
“I knew they were trouble, but I didn’t know they were this bad.”
“We’ve got to take them down sooner rather than later. It’s only going to be so long before they kill again and maybe get Stormy. I really don’t want to think what they’ll do to her, especially Nutter. He’s not going to back down.”
“Already ahead of you. We’ve started things in motion. I was expecting to hear back from the representative we hired earlier tonight, but nothing yet. Damn real estate agents, they sit there, wait until the last minute, then everything is on their time table, now.”
“Well, we need to keep this thing moving. Do you have an address for her?”
“Yeah, here.” He handed him a card. “You going by there tonight or tomorrow?”
Bend
er looked at the address. “It’s on my way back to Stormy; I’ll swing by and check the place out, then stop by to talk to her tomorrow morning.”
“Sounds good, keep me updated.”
“Keep the wheels turning.”
“As fast as they will turn, boy.”
Bender absently drove through the streets to the real estate lady’s home making sure he hadn’t been followed. Once he was sure, he headed straight toward her address. He was stopped short by all of the emergency equipment on the street in front of her house. Pulling to the curb, he quickly got out and wandered over to the police line. It only took a few moments to find out the real estate agent who was helping them was in the home when it went up in flames tonight, under what the latest rumor was, mysterious circumstances. He walked back and called Murdoch, letting him know the news.
Antoinette Fairbanks didn’t make it out alive.
Stormy jumped up when she heard someone at the door, the book still clutched to her chest. Her heart pounded in her chest. She hadn’t realized she’d fallen asleep and the blood rushed in her ears as she strained to hear who was trying to open the door so quietly. The only light on in the hotel room was the one in the corner and its light didn’t reach the door. Whoever was in the room was a shadow. When he finally turned around and started coming toward her, she let out the breath she’d been holding. She knew that stride; it was Bender. “Hey.”
“You should be sleeping.”
“I was.”
He looked at her, and then the bed. “Liar.”
“Well, I wasn’t sleeping in the bed.”
“Liar.” He went to his duffle and grabbed the basketball shorts he slept in and went to the bathroom to change. When he came back out, he climbed into his bed and turned out the light leaving her standing there. “Night.”
“That’s it?” She went over and kicked the side of the bed. “Night? Where’d you go tonight? What did you find out?”
“Not now.”
“What do you mean ‘not now’?” She kicked the side of the bed again. “Get up.”
“Stormy, don’t push me.”
“Oh, don’t push you? How about don’t push me? I think I’ve been very accommodating through this whole thing, just going along with you because you came out of the dark like some damn knight in shining armor to save me. Maybe I should be questioning more and not be so trusting. Maybe I should go to the police. Maybe this is all just some damn, made up situation to get close to me.” She kicked the side of the bed again. “That’s it. I’m out of here.” She turned and walked away. Without warning, an arm snaked around her waist and she was pulled down onto the bed and pinned there.
“No. You’ve been accommodating? Hell, lady, you’ve sat there and pushed every one of my buttons over and over. I’ve bent over backward to keep you safe and you’re not going to walk out that door now and throw everything away.”
Stormy lay there under him, his hard body keeping her in place. Part of her wished there was more light so she could see him; the other part was grateful there wasn’t, since feeling his body so close to hers made her blush.
“Nothing to say now?”
By the sound of his voice, she knew his lips were close to her. She’d been fighting the attraction for him since day, well, night one; and now with him so close to her, she knew it was a losing battle. She wiggled. She couldn’t help it; she wanted to touch him. She wanted him to kiss her.
Bender moaned. “Lesson six; don’t kiss the beautiful woman you’ve sworn to protect.” His nose nuzzled her chin.
She tipped her head back and she could feel his lips slide down her neck, so close but not touching. “Lesson seven,” she said. “Break rule six.”
He became still. Stormy wasn’t sure what had come over her and what he would do. She was terrified he’d move off her and she’d lose his warmth. Then quickly, he captured her lips, devouring them in passion. She felt helpless against the onslaught of feelings he evoked in her; all she could do was lie there and take it. And take it she did. She felt worshiped, desired, beautiful, as he took his time and showed her he’d been as attracted to her as she was to him.
With their passion unlocked, she was free to touch him like she’d been dreaming of. For once, she turned her brain off and just felt, getting lost in his arms, his kisses, and his touches. Rolling across the bed, they discovered the peaks and valleys of each other’s bodies as clothes were tossed aside.
When he finally slid inside her, she cried out in satisfaction. She felt as though she had come home as they moved together. Slowly or quickly, it didn’t matter; they were in sync, matching each other’s rhythm and knowing the steps to take in their private dance.
Lying in each other’s arms, trying to catch their breath, she felt more whole than she ever had. Tonight was a turning point in her life; it was never going to be the same again. What her future held, she had no idea. She could hope Bender was going to be a part of it; although, more likely than not, he’d be leaving her. She knew her heart would break, but somehow, she’d survive. It was the only thing she could do.
Mick paced the room while Nutter sat absolutely still on the couch. They watched the video footage of the fire at Antoinette’s. There in the background was Bender; he’d been there. How long had he been there?
“There’s no use crying over spilt milk,” Nutter said.
“We’ve got to stay a step ahead of him. He has Stormy and now he may have seen us putting that whore Jody in Antoinette’s place. Or he could have been there because he was meeting Antoinette, which would mean he was the one who sent her here.”
“Or,” Nutter drew the word out. “He could have Stormy nearby.”
Mick paused. “I hadn’t thought of that. He could.” He went over to his laptop and searched a map of the area seeing if there was anything nearby where Bender would keep Stormy. He slammed the lid of the laptop down. “There’s nothing.”
Nutter gracefully got up, walked over, and opened it back up. “Maybe you just need to look at it a little differently.” His long graceful fingers flew across the keys. A few moments later, he looked up at Mick. “And there we go. I’ve narrowed it down to these two.” He spun the laptop around to show him.
Mick looked down and back up at Nutter. He was always amazed at how his mind worked. There was never a puzzle Nutter couldn’t figure out, and he was always a step or ten ahead of you making adjustments as you made yours. “Do you have a plan?”
“Of course, when do I not? Sometimes, you have to take what you find and adjust. Chase them and make them come to you.”
“True.” A grin spread across his face knowing Nutter would fill him in; and between the two, their plan would be foolproof and Stormy would be theirs before nightfall.
Nutter grabbed a knife and tossed it in the air easily catching it and tossing it again a few times as they walked toward the door. When they got to where the other whore Alex Nutter had picked up was chained to the wall, he threw the knife, easily impaling her through the femoral artery. They stood and watched the blood flow down her leg for a moment before walking out the door. Looking over the other knives Nutter had thrown, Mick wondered how there was any blood left in her, but Nutter was a master at these things and he always liked to practice.
“Now, no parties while we’re gone,” Nutter sang from the door.
Bender woke up with a naked Stormy attached to him. For a man who made a point of never staying the whole night with a woman, this was much nicer than he thought it would have been. Of course, he thought it had more to do with Stormy than anything else. She’d pulled at him from the very first moment. He’d told her things he’d never told anyone else but Murdoch. The more time they spent together, the more she became a part of him.
Then last night when she said to break the rule, it took him a moment to be sure he’d heard her right and it wasn’t just wishful thinking on his part. There was no way he was going to be able to hold back. Of course, if she really didn’t want to, he would have.
He was, however, so thankful she didn’t want him to stop.
Carefully, he reached over for his phone to see if they’d missed anything new. He had wanted to blot out everything from last night, hoping for a few hours of dreamless sleep. Instead, he had wicked hot sex with an amazing woman and six hours of blissful sleep. Scrolling through his text messages, he frowned and opened the oldest one. Shit, this wasn’t good. He had to get Stormy up and moving, quickly.
“Stormy, honey, come on, we’ve got to get up.” He shook her gently. “Come on.”
“No.” She hugged him tighter. Any other time he would have loved it and taken advantage of it, but not now.
“Listen, we’ve got to get going. Mick and Nutter are on the move and headed in this direction.”
Her eyes flew open, confused and then full of fear. “What?”
For just a moment, he took pity on her and brushed the hair back from her face. “We have to get moving. Now, honey. I’m sorry we can’t stay in bed all day where I can show you what you do to me. Now, we move.”
He’d never taken a woman’s feelings into account before now; that scared him as much as the fact Mick and Nutter were speeding in their direction. Turning away from her naked beauty, he started throwing everything back in their bags while getting dressed himself and tossing her clothes on the bed. He was thankful she got up and started putting her clothes on as fast as possible.
It only took them less than ten minutes to get everything packed up and ready to walk out the door, but when the knock on the door sounded they looked at each other. Time’s up.
The woman sat tied to a chair, silent tears rolling down her face. Mick leaned down, eye to eye with her. “You really should be more careful who you let into your apartment. You would think at your age you would have figured that out by now.”
Nutter went around tapping gently on walls, specifically the ones shared with Stormy. They knew she wasn’t home, but she would be, sooner or later. To set up shop here would be the best, or at least a place to monitor what happened next door.
“You have to love shoddy construction. When the big condo craze hit, they took the cheapest way to convert apartments to condos and didn’t do their due diligence when it came to basic safety.” Nutter smiled at Mick. “There’s no brick fire wall.”
