“Yeah. Seems like the O’Rourkes are back. But that’s not possible,” I said, my mind racing.
Before I’d made detective, I’d worked undercover on a special assignment to take down a bigtime drug operation. Me and my partner Kale had been called in to work on the case undercover, following direct recommendation straight from our Captain. Our Lieutenant had later said the Captain had wanted us fast tracked to detective, to shake things up a bit in the department.
It was well known that a few of the old boys in the department had agreements with the main dealers in town, taking bribes and coercing them to keep to their designated turf and to not cause too much trouble.
The drug operation we’d infiltrated was run by the O’Rourkes, a biker gang that had rolled into town one day out of nowhere and had set up with the biggest meth operation we’d ever seen. They took every corner, killed or recruited every small-time dealer in the area. They had eventually made a few deals with some detectives, but the Captain was under pressure to shut the gang down. The O’Rourkes were making national news, and the publicity gave our town a bad name.
Soon enough after the biker gang had arrived, the streets were flooded with almost 80% pure meth. The town’s youth were hooked not long after.
“This ain’t no Heisenberg shit.” Lucas said. “But it’s almost 80% pure, a shade off 78.” He pointed a finger at the bag I was still studying intently. “Rest of the other stuff we got is the same quality. Exactly the same quality. Someone’s trying to get back into the game.”
“Well, unless they’re running it from prison or from beyond the grave it ain’t the old O’Rourkes,” I said absently, deep in thought.
We had infiltrated the gang successfully, but to do so I’d done some stuff I wasn’t proud of. Coercion, giving and taking bribes to grease the palms of police informers, drug dealing and taking, recruiting new police informers by intimidation and even assault, manipulating and planting evidence… the list went on.
But eventually the clean detectives working the case built up enough evidence to take down the whole operation. Three of the gang leaders were shot, resisting arrest. Two were behind bars, almost indefinitely.
The rest of the gang had been given various sentences and had been split up and sent to jails across the country. They had been strongly advised to avoid making contact with any of their previous “associates” when the day finally came when they walked free.
“So it’s either a new operation,” I said, ticking the possibilities off on my fingers as I stared into the middle distance. “Or it could be an old batch that’s been found. Or could be we didn’t get everyone before that was involved in the operation. Or, there are some O’Rourkes we never knew about in the first place.”
I drummed my fingers on my desk as my brain started sifting through the possibilities.
“Well, listen. I’ll get you the names of the guys who found the other stuff. We both know this ain’t enough for a case yet, but you ain’t busy anyway, right? So you could look into it, if you found the time. That’s all I’m saying. Help a brother out, you know?” Lucas leaned over and patted me on the shoulder.
“Yeah, thanks Lucas. I appreciate it. Hell, if this works out and I get another big bust under my belt, maybe I’ll bring you some flowers too!” I winked at him.
“I don’t swing that way, bro.” He paused thoughtfully. “But fuck it, bring me a bottle of Cuervo Gold and I’ll do anything you want!”
We both laughed.
“When you gonna make Detective, Lucas? We could use someone like you ‘round here. You know the streets. Got contacts, and you ain’t no moron. God knows we’re short on numbers here, too.” I looked around. Only half the desks were occupied. Half of those were occupied by old detectives who were a little too comfortable. And fat. And half of those old guys were corrupt as fuck.
“When I get the time I’m gonna go for Detective. Maria thinks I got the brains, the way I help out the kids with homework.” He sighed. “But four young ones at home don’t leave me with much time.”
He looked away, wistfully. “But when they’re at college I’ll still be in my forties. I’ll have plenty of time to put my mind to it then.”
Maria was Lucas’s wife, who’d been his childhood sweetheart. They’d married as soon as they could, and she had their first kid about six months later.
I looked at Lucas. I could tell he was exhausted, but was trying his best not to show it. Dark rings were beginning to form under his eyes.
“Listen carefully, alright. Because for once I’m not joking. When you’re ready, come see me. I might even be Lieutenant. I’ll help you out.” I looked at him seriously.
I raised my eyebrows when he laughed at me good naturedly.
“Jack if you ain’t Captain by then, I don’t know what’s going on in this place,” He grinned.
He turned and walked away, swaggering as he walked. He turned back to me as he headed to the exit.
“Yo, Storm. Let’s grab a beer Friday?” He stopped, raising his arm in a gesture of feigned irritation.“Maria’s Mom is over for the weekend. Gonna need a few beers in me to deal with that damn ice queen.”
I smiled, nodding. “You’re on.” I pointed a finger at him, frowning. “But you’re paying this time!”
TWO
Eden
I was looking at my reflection in the full-length mirror in front of me, adjusting my slightly too tight work uniform. I pulled the hem of my shirt down over my hips, and wriggled my butt in my pants, glad that they were at least a little stretchy. I adjusted my boobs in my bra which was a little too tight, promising myself to buy some new clothes soon.
Maybe some sexy underwear. Not that I have anyone to show it to…
Happy that I’d managed to squeeze into my uniform, I headed downstairs for a quick breakfast before I’d need to head for work.
I clicked the small TV on that I had in my kitchen before lighting the stove and grabbing a pan. I half listened to the news anchor as I prepared some eggs and bacon.
“...has resurfaced in the town. Although the O’Rourkes are currently behind bars, we have an exclusive report that meth of a very similar quality is starting to appear again. Over to Vicky outside Freddie’s Biker Bar for more.”
“Thanks, John. Yes, we have had an exclusive report that O’Rourke-quality meth is starting to reappear on the streets, corroborated from a number of sources, who wish to remain anonymous.
I’m here outside Freddie’s where the now-famous shootout took place a few years back, leading to the deaths or arrests of the O’Rourke biker gang. How this meth has resurfaced is currently a mystery, but a number of theories have…”
I clicked the TV off, gritting my teeth as I felt a cold cramp of fear in my gut. I breathed in and out deeply as I poked at my bacon shakily.
You don’t need it anymore, Eden. Those times are behind you. Conall isn’t here to force you to do things you would never have dreamed of doing otherwise.
I’d been clean from meth for a number of years, since my ex-boyfriend Conall O’Rourke had disappeared, following his release from custody due to lack of evidence.
I hadn’t been a prolific user or hopeless addict, hell I didn’t even smoke it. Just a few lines when Conall and his biker mates wanted to drink and get high. Which was quite often, it turned out.
Since stopping the meth and with the violent and unpredictable Conall out of my life, I’d become a new person. Confident, witty and hardworking. I had worked two, sometimes three, jobs to save up a deposit for a place of my own after moving back with my parents for a while.
After getting my own place and everything I needed, I was now working two jobs; my day job at the most popular diner in town, and an occasional evening at a local bar.
The pay wasn’t too great, but the tips from both jobs boosted my income nicely and I was able to put away a fair amount of money each month. I was saving for a vacation, which I hadn’t had in god-knows how long. And I was considering a colleg
e course in accounting, so I could get a decent, well-paid 9 to 5.
Then I just have to meet a nice man to look after me, maybe have a few kids…
I sighed wistfully as I plated my bacon and eggs, adding a slice of slightly burnt toast to the side. I didn’t like to admit it to myself, but I was lonely. Working hard went some way to help me forget, but it didn’t give me any time to actually meet someone. The only men I usually met were the perverts who came in to ogle me at the bar.
I smiled to myself. Since I’d filled out and started to wear tighter clothes to show off my curves, I’d noticed my tips increased considerably, and I didn’t go a night without getting a drink or two bought for me.
Men. Just like animals sometimes. Why am I cursed to only meet violent thugs or old perverts?
My house phone rang as I took my first bite of breakfast.
Typical.
I sprang up and half jogged to the phone.
“Hey, Eden here.”
It was my manager from the bar. I wasn’t due to work this evening, but apparently the usual waitress had come down sick earlier. I was his first call to find a replacement. Said the locals liked me, drank more when I was working, apparently.
“Sure thing, Bill. I’ll be in at eight. I’m not gonna turn down work. You know me.”
I went back to my breakfast, gobbling the eggs and bacon down hungrily. I’d half-finished my breakfast when there was a loud knock at the door. A loud, slow, ominous sound… knock… knock… knock.
It can’t be. No, it’s gotta be someone else. Has to be.
I froze at the sound of Conall’s signature knock at my front door. It would be just like him to turn up unannounced, march in like he owned the place. Start trying to manipulate me. Again.
I picked myself up, raising my chin confidently as I headed for the door.
If it is him, I’ll show him I’m not a scared little girl anymore. Show him he can’t control me. And there’s no way in hell I’m having him back.
I took a deep breath before opening the door.
Conall stood there, hands in pockets. He was wearing a black leather biker jacket, accentuating his huge frame. A cigarette hung from his mouth as he grinned at me. He stared down at me with bloodshot eyes. I could smell alcohol on him, even from a few feet away. He had put on a little weight around his waist, but was otherwise just as beefy as ever.
I frowned at him.
“Long time no see, babe. How you been?”
That’s it? That’s all you got after abandoning me?
“You look like shit, Conall. Rough night? Again?”
“Ain’t no such thing as a rough night for me. You know I’m no lightweight.,” he snarled.
“I was expecting a warmer reception after everything I done for you. Lemme see your new place.” He pushed past me into my house, whistling as he looked around. The smoke from his cigarette stung my eyes.
Anger welled inside me.
“After everything you done for me? Conall, you really are a piece of work. You disappeared without a trace, didn’t leave me any money, no place to stay, no car.”
I crossed my arms. He was looking at me, eyebrows raised. I was expecting an angry backlash, but he was just staring at me.
“I got this place from working my ass off, three jobs just to save for the deposit.” I tried to stop my anger from rising out of control. I knew I’d be in trouble if I took things too far.
“I protected you! Didn’t say a word to the cops, like we agreed! They tried everything in the book to make me talk. I was scared, Conall. And you just ran off into the sunset!”
Conall turned away from me, snorting. He walked into the kitchen and threw his cigarette into the sink. He picked up a piece of bacon from my plate, chewing it absently.
“You think I wanted to leave you high and dry, babe? I didn’t have a choice. I had to get out of here. I was this close to getting locked up. I was in fucking trouble, you understand?”
His voice got louder as he spoke, and he started to sound pissed off. I guessed what he’d just said was his way of saying sorry.
He reached into his jacket and pulled out a wad of cash and a big bag of meth.
“Look, I brought you these. I know it ain’t enough for what I done. But it’s all I got.”
His visage softened somewhat as he looked at me.
“I miss you, babe. There’s more of this, money and crystal. If you’ll forgive me.”
He was holding the money and the drugs up, staring into my eyes. He scared the shit out of me. I knew he was a psycho and I wanted him out of my house.
“Conall. I’m a different person. I’ve changed so much since you left. Changed for the better. I can’t take you back. I need you out of my life… that’s all I need from you.”
I took a step back, edging closer to the front door.
His eyes hardened. He took a step towards me, his hands shaking with anger.
“I come back here, heart in hand, apologizing to you. And all you do is tell me to fuck off?” His face contorted with rage.
“No ‘Thanks Conall, thanks for all the meth and all the money I gave you before which I spent!’ No ‘Thanks for trying to make things right, for taking the time to come and see me and offer me some help!’”
I flinched as he threw the meth and money at me. A second later he was bearing down on me, his huge chest inches from mine. He grabbed me roughly by my hair.
I struggled as his hand brushed my cheek.
“Shame you won’t see the truth, girl. But I’ve had you. You’re used up. You’re useless to me.” He was speaking quietly and menacingly, his face inches from mine.
“But the fucking deal still stands. If you say a word, I’ll hurt you. Bad. I’m back in town now, taking back what’s mine. I’ll have some of my boys watching you. You so much as think about going to the cops, I’ll know!”
I winced as he slapped me hard across the face with the back of his rough hand. I didn’t give him the satisfaction of screaming. My eyes watered tears of pain. I grimaced at him in defiance.
“I haven’t been to the cops since you left. I promise. And I’m not gonna suddenly become a snitch. I just want peace and quiet, a simple life.” I paused. “You’re hurting me, Conall.”
He shook my head, still gripping my hair.
“Good! Maybe you’ll learn not be such a stuck-up bitch!”
His grip on my hair softened. “I mean it. Say a word and you won’t be able to work. You won’t be able to leave the house. You’ll be eating through a damn straw.”
He let go of my hair and poked me hard in the ribs. “You change your mind right, come to your senses? Come see me. I'll be able to help you out… if you help me out first, that is…” He was looking me up and down, his eyes taking in every curve. Disgusting.
He pushed me away and walked out the door, slamming it behind him. My eyes watered with tears of anger, frustration and fear.
I collapsed to my knees, holding my head in my hands.
Shit. I thought… no hoped, that he’d died. What sort of life will I have with Conall back here in town? He’ll be watching my every move.
I briefly considered fleeing town, but I didn’t have enough money saved to make a good go of it. I could go to the police, but all the info I had on Conall was old. The case was probably closed a long time ago. I doubt they even knew Conall was back in town yet.
Just gotta stay strong, Eden. Don’t let him get to you.
I picked myself up, straightening my clothes out. I wiped the tears from my face as my expression hardened. I wasn’t going to let Conall O’Rourke ruin my day.
Without thinking I picked up the bag of meth and headed for the bathroom. I flushed the bag down the toilet, turning my anger and fear into strength as I watched it disappear.
The roll of bills Conall had was still in the hall. I picked it up.
A few hundred dollars. Maybe a thousand. For all the shit you’ve put me through, for the years of abandonment without a cent
, without a phone call. Screw you, Conall.
I quickly brushed my hair back and applied some makeup to hide the bruise that was forming on my cheek.
I tucked the dollar bills into my purse as I left the house. Conall didn’t know it, but he was soon to make a generous and sizeable donation to the Wounded Warriors Project. Money that would go to heroes; veterans and their families. Not the scum that heConall dealt with.
I haven't needed anything from himConall since he left. And I’m not going to start taking his drug money now.
I walked down the street, head held high. Thinking of a way to get Conall locked up or killed.
I didn’t formulate anything feasible, but it made me feel better anyway.
THREE
Jack
I sat casually at my desk, left elbow resting on the corner of the wooden surface, leaning forward with my chin on my left palm. I was drumming the fingers of my right hand steadily on the desk. My eyes were half closed, and to most I probably looked tired or hungover.
But my mind was racing. It was 09:00am, the day after Lucas had brought in the sample of meth for me. I’d spent the rest of the afternoon brainstorming ideas, where the meth was coming from, who the key players could be.
I’d even built a little case wall next to my desk, which had brought laughter from some of my fellow Detectives. They had scoffed at the idea of the O’Rourkes resurfacing and had taken great pleasure of mocking me as I went about pinning scraps of paper to the board.
Yeah, the idea probably does seem stupid to you. Probably because you haven’t been approached with a bribe yet. You slimy asshole.
After getting bored of the old deadbeats, I had told them precisely where to shove their criticism and carried on with my theorizing.
This is what actual Detectives do. Look and learn. You won’t be the ones laughing if this theory actually turns out to be something. Nah, you’ll be wishing you were the ones to crack the case and save the citizens.
Say Yes, Senator: A Best Friend's Little Sister Political Romance Page 48
