Then I put my feet up on the desk, legs crossed as I waited for my coffee to cool a little. My mind was going over what I knew so far about the case and what I would need to take Conall’s gang down.
Movement from over to my right caught my eye. My heart rate increased as I saw Lucas and two other cops heading for the Lieutenant’s office. Lucas looked calm, his expression guarded yet confident. Head held high as he surveyed the department.
Good work, Lucas boy. Knew I could count on you. Go get me my case, brother.
I’d have to buy Lucas beers for the rest of our days if I made Lieutenant from this case, I thought, smiling to myself.
I guessed it wouldn’t take long for the cops to go over their evidence and thoughts with the Lieutenant. With a hand shaking slightly from pure excitement, I downed my coffee. I set to putting my bullets back into both my guns carefully and methodically, distracting myself with routine.
Opening the notepad, I began to make a few quick points. It was all clear in my mind, but I knew I’d have to be organised on this one. The Lieutenant would want to see everything mapped out. Times. Dates. Names. Places. Crimes.
I knew there were a few vital pieces of the puzzle I still knew little about. First off was the lab, assuming there was one. With consistent, fairly high-grade meth being produced, there had to be some sort of cook and lab. If there was, I’d need to find it.
Secondly, I’d need solid evidence against Conall. Which could be done by catching him red handed, if he did something stupid. But chances were he now had people doing all the dirty work for him.
Therefore, the third jigsaw piece was finding out who were his top associates, dealers, enforcers, and distributors. If I could get dirt on them, they might then make a deal for a lighter sentence if they dished the dirt on Conall. That was probably the most solid chance I had of taking the whole gang down in one fell swoop. If one talked, then the others would likely follow suit. As long as we could promise them protection from the O’Rourkes behind bars, of course.
Finally, there was Eden. She’d recognised me from somewhere, and I’d quickly figured out it was from my time undercover. That meant when she first saw me she thought I was still rolling with Conall, and for some reason that made her shit scared.
So what does she know? Is she willing to talk?
At the same time I knew I was really attracted to this girl, and if she was any near as nice as she was hot, then I couldn’t see her wanting anything casual. I could see myself falling for her real quick.
I don’t want to get her involved in this mess. Should I tell her about the case? If she was scared of Conall I doubt she’d go running to him at the first sign of trouble.
For once I was stumped. I shook my head, resolving to think about the matter later,nwhich I struggled with repeatedly. She was on my mind all the time, and while it was a pleasant distraction, I felt uneasy that my mind wasn’t as sharp as usual.
Lucas came swaggering over to my desk, one thumb through his belt, the other pointing back over his shoulder. He was trying his best not to smile.
“Lieutenant wants to see you, Storm. Says it’s urgent.” His eyes were bright with excitement as he winked at me.
“All right. Thanks Lucas. I’ll be right in.” I tried to act as casual as possible as I rose to walk to the Lieutenant’s office. I felt a few eyes on me as I passed through the department.
The Lieutenant was on the phone as I entered. He waved me in as I poked my head round the door and gestured for me to shut it after me.
“Yes sir. Absolutely. Thank you, sir.” He put the phone down with a flourish, turning to face me with a broad smile.
“Jack. You got yourself a case. Congratulations.” He leaned forward, arm extended. I shook his hand gratefully, grinning with relief.
“Now,” his expression turned serious in an instant, his voice low. “Tell me what your thoughts are. And Jack, keep this case to yourself.” He looked over his shoulder to the other detectives, some of whom had been staring through the slats at the window and turned away awkwardly as he looked their direction.
“We both know there are ears everywhere. Let’s just keep things quiet until we get something solid, something that makes us, you, untouchable by those meatheads out there.”
The Lieutenant looked at me with concern, the way a kindly uncle would when offering advice to his nephew. I knew I was one of his favorites, and it was common knowledge that he was due to retire soon. If I did well on this case, my gut told me I’d be sitting in his desk come the end of the year.
“Of course, sir. I got this. I’m not gonna say a word to anyone until I get something we can use.” I sat down in the chair opposite him, notepad in my left hand as I rubbed my chin thoughtfully with my right.
“So here’s what I’m thinking so far...”
TEN
Eden
I’d managed to put a brave face on the day after Conall’s visit while I was working at the diner. I passed off the bruised cheek and slight black eye as a drunken stumble into a door when visiting my friend over the weekend. Hell, I’d rehearsed the lie so many times I was actually starting to believe it myself.
In truth, I was shaken. My confidence that I’d built up from nothing over the last few years had taken a big hit. As soon as I left the house in the morning I was looking over my shoulder constantly, paranoia turning every shady looking character into one of Conall’s goons.
God knows there’s enough of them in this town…
I had the same feeling when I was walking home after finishing at the diner, like I was being watched. The hairs on the back on my neck stood on end, and I felt a shiver run down my spine.
Then all of a sudden an image of Jack appeared in my mind. Strong, tall, handsome. Smiling casually at me like the last time I saw him, as he rested against the bar, eyes looking deeply into mine. Part of me longed to see him when I opened the door to my house, for him to take me into a warm, protective embrace.
Thoughts of Conall and his threats started to evaporate as I thought about Jack. When I did, I found myself distracted, unable to concentrate on much else. I’d been a bit ditsy since I’d seen him Friday, not my usual, intelligent, focused self.
I got back home, head held high and smiling as I entered the front door quickly, making sure to lock the door behind me. I was once again greeted by silence and a sense of loneliness as I walked through to the kitchen.
Damn. No Jack. Well, maybe if I play my cards right one day soon he’ll be waiting for me when I get home. Just need to make sure I get this right, or we’ll both be in trouble...
I still had a few hours before starting my shift at the bar, and I set to work rehearsing my plan for when Jack visited me later in the evening.
That’s if he turns up…
I smiled to myself, thinking about the way he’d looked at me when we’d met. Somehow I knew he was gonna be there.
I decided to wear pretty much what I was wearing before, choosing a different set of underwear than the last time. A bit less cleavage, makeup not so pronounced. I wanted Jack to see the bruise on my face. Plus I didn’t want too much unwanted attention from any drunken strangers tonight.
A while later, after having a long, hot shower and getting ready for work, I sat on a chair in my kitchen, chewing thoughtfully on a pen. My laptop sat on the table in front of me, a small scrap of paper next to it. I was browsing a local map online, zooming in and out and scrolling around town. I nodded decisively, the screen fixed on a single location. I brushed my hair back over my ear as I scrawled a note onto the scrap of paper, then hiding it in my pants pocket.
“Here goes nothing,” I said aloud, sighing as I rose to leave for the bar.
I rehearsed my story about how I’d gotten my black eye in my mind as I walked to the bar. I didn’t need Jack to believe me, in fact I wanted the opposite. And anyway, if he was as good a detective as Cindy had said, he’d see through the bullshit anyway. It was anyone else who might be listening that I needed
to convince.
I needed to convince them I was still covering for Conall. And that I wasn’t interested in talking to a cop.
My heart felt slightly heavy as I arrived for work, knowing that I’d need to brush Jack off casually if I wanted the ruse to work. But something told me he was sharp, that he noticed things others didn’t. I was confident he’d understand, maybe even play along.
God, I hope so. I don’t want to ruin things before they’ve even started.
I steeled myself with a deep breath before entering the bar, looking around casually and smiling furtively at the few faces I saw dotted around. As I’d expected, there were only a handful of drinkers in so far tonight. Only a few more would likely come and go before the end of the night.
Most faces I recognized, but there were one or two I didn’t. A guy sat in the booth nearest to the bar smiled at me as I walked past, a little too suspiciously.
OK. So I’m guessing I’ve got an audience then. Stay cool, Eden. You can do this.
I swapped with the girl Amy who’d been covering the early shift. She winced when she saw my face, but didn’t say anything. We barely knew each other as we’d never worked a double shift together, and I guessed she thought it was probably better not to ask.
I was glad to not have to repeat the story for a tenth time already today.
I set about serving the regulars, chatting away with them calmly as they nursed their beers. I brushed off their concern over my bruised face, explaining the imaginary drunken fall I had on Saturday. A couple of the guys laughed good naturedly at my story. I made sure I said it loud enough for those sitting in the booths nearby to hear.
As I’d expected, only a few more drinkers turned up over the course of the evening, and the shift was slow. It would almost have been boring if my heart wasn’t hammering in my chest at the thought of seeing Jack again.
A little while later the door swung open and a tall figure walked in. My eyes widened when I saw Jack standing there as he surveyed the drinkers inside.
He was wearing his usual jeans and shiny boots, doubled with an immaculate bleached white shirt which fitted his athletic form perfectly. His black leather trench coat adorned his broad shoulders, the collar turned up against the rain that was pouring down outside.
He brushed water off of his short blonde hair as he approached the bar, and I saw the muscles of his arm strain against the leather of his jacket.
I felt a tingle of desire mixed with nervousness as I studied him, feeling immediately safe at his presence. I figured it was gonna be a short visit, but all the while he was here I was untouchable.
I smiled at him as he approached, his eyes meeting mine as he looked up. He immediately frowned with concern as he saw the bruise on my face.
“Hey, Eden. Everything alright?” he said, in a deep voice strained with genuine worry.
I think I know how you could make everything better…
“Hey. Yeah, everything's fine. Nothing to worry about. Just had an accident when I was out drinking with a friend on Saturday night. Stumbled right into a door I thought she was gonna hold open for me!” I giggled nervously, brushing my hair back over an ear as his gaze intensified, his eyes studying my features.
Good. He thinks it’s bullshit. Now for phase two…
“Can I get you a drink?” I said, hands on the bar in front of Jack. I longed to lean over, grab him by his shirt, bring his face down to meet mine…
He was still frowning at me as I spoke, and I could see his mind working behind his clear eyes.
“Yeah. Sure, I’ll take a pale ale.” He took a seat on a stool, drumming his fingers on the bar as I poured his drink.
I turned to look at him as I poured the beer. He was returning my gaze, his expression fixed with concern and consternation. I think he’d already worked out what had happened and was already thinking about getting revenge.
Or at least, that’s what I’m hoping…
I took a deep breath as I approached, putting the glass down gingerly in front of him. I needed to get this part just right, or I was afraid I’d never see him again.
“Listen. I don’t think we should meet on Thursday. I uh… well I don’t think I’m ready for anything yet. I’m sorry. I hope you understand.” I looked into his eyes, my expression pleading.
Please…
His face lit up in a broad, friendly smile and he sat back, taking a long drink from his beer. He set the glass down in front of him then looked back into my eyes.
“Sure thing, Eden. If you say you ain’t ready, you ain’t ready. I won’t bother you any more, darlin’.” His eyes flashed with an unreadable glint as he fished in his jacket for a bill, setting it down in front of me.
“Keep the change,” he said, rising to leave his seat at the bar.
Shit.
I glanced down at the twenty he’d put down.
“Hey, no that’s too much. I’ll get myself a drink out of it and you can have the rest back. I insist.” I waited for his response with my breath held.
“Whatever you say, Eden.” He waited for me to open a beer for myself and fetch him his change. I carefully slipped my handwritten note between two fives as I passed him the money, grateful for the brief contact between our hands.
He winked at me as he walked away, stuffing the change and notes into the pocket of his trench coat.
He took a seat in an empty booth near the door, facing away from me. I saw him finish his beer quickly then rise to leave, transferring the bills I’d given him from his pocket to his wallet as he approached the door.
I felt unease as he left, hoping any unwanted eyes had bought the ruse.
If anyone saw me slip that note into his change, well, then I’m screwed…
I startled slightly as a rough figure approached me at the bar. I recognised the guy I’d seen earlier, who had been grinning as I’d entered and had turned to stare when I’d been chatting with Jack.
He ordered a straight bourbon and downed it in one, ordering another one immediately after, gasping as he downed the second.
He looked at me, smiling as he spoke. His voice was quiet but wore an evil sneer on his face. “You played that well, girl. Keep being good and Conall won’t have to keep an eye on you so much.”
He turned to look over his shoulder at the door Jack had just walked through.
“But if we see you talking to him again, things won’t go so easy. Don’t want him poking his nose in where it ain’t wanted. If he does start sniffing around, there’ll be trouble. For both of you.”
He wagged a dirty finger as he left, not even bothering to leave any money for the drinks. One of the regulars, a large but well-muscled ex-logger offered to stop him from leaving without paying. I shook my head, not wanting to cause any trouble now that I had Conall off my case.
For now, at least. The moron he sent to watch me bought it. I just need to keep my head down until Thursday, then the rest will be up to Jack…
ELEVEN
Jack
I left the bar after finishing my beer quickly, my mind racing. Anger was rising up within me, my stomach tight with rage. I’d barely tasted the beer as I drank it, downing the large glass in about three big gulps. My fists were clenched as I walked through the heavy rain, feeling the water starting to seep through my once-immaculate white shirt.
I knew even before Eden said anything that she had been punched quite hard on the cheek, the bruise spreading to darken her eye slightly. I hadn’t even listened to her lame excuse about how it had happened. Hell, she hadn’t even made a decent attempt at covering it up.
As a kid growing up I’d seen the same on my Mom time and time again. Bruises from the fists of my alcoholic, good for nothing Dad. He’d been a gambler, drinker and small time criminal, stealing or selling anything he could to fund his habits. He had seen himself as a roaming maverick, card player, drinker, and gunslinger.
Inn reality he stank at playing cards and drank way too much to be anything other than useless at mo
st types of gambling. He’d thought it funny to give me a similar name to an old nineteenth century western gambler and gunslinger, hoping I’d grow up in my Dad’s image. My Mom hadn’t found it very funny. I had vowed from a young age to be nothing like him, and in a perverse way it was him I had to thank for deciding to become a cop in the first place.
He had walked out one day without saying a word, not even the old classic about going to buy smokes. Just left halfway through dinner, got up and walked out, his plate of food unfinished. We had never seen him again.
Good riddance
I’d decided to wait until reading Eden’s note. I guessed she thought that Conall was having her watched, and from the look of the guy in the booth nearest the bar I had to agree with her. She had played the whole thing damn well, and I was impressed. She was definitely very smart. I liked her even more, desire rising within me before the anger had started to build, fuelled by long dormant memories of my childhood.
Ain’t no way I’m gonna let Conall hurt her again. Scumbag just bought himself a one way ticket to jail.
I got back to my apartment near the center of town, taking off my trench coat and removing the wallet from the inside pocket. I removed the slightly damp note Eden had written. Luckily the words were still legible. Neat, curly handwriting covered the scrap of paper in blue ink. I sighed wistfully as I imagined Eden writing the note.
Jack, sorry for what I had to say. I’ll make you understand, don’t worry. I still want to have that date, but I’m in a bit of trouble and I think I’m being watched. Let’s talk. I’ve got some info you might find useful. Meet me under the old road bridge west of town, the one that was closed years ago. Thursday at 8pm. We should be able to meet there without any prying eyes. Eden xxx
I smiled ironically. Not a very romantic first date, but it would do nonetheless. I knew the old road bridge she was talking about, it had been closed years ago when a new interstate had been built a few miles to the north. No one went out that way much anymore, and the chances of bumping into anyone were remote.
Say Yes, Senator: A Best Friend's Little Sister Political Romance Page 53
