Handcuffs and Roses

by Laura Hammond

IT WAS QUARTER TO twelve and the funeral service for Shira Levenson was almost over. Lisa was on tenterhooks. Where the heck are you, James?

  The synagogue was almost full and she sat near the back so it would be easy for James to slip in beside her when he finally arrived ... if he did, and from the looks of things it didn't look like he was going to. The hollow feeling at the pit of her stomach was a clear indication that something wasn't right. Superintendent Willard sat up front in the same pew as Sandra Levenson and her mother.

  Lisa's worst fears were confirmed when she saw chief get up from his seat and slip out the side door with his cell phone in hand. When he returned a couple minutes earlier, his face was ashen. He whispered something to Sandra Levenson who nodded and glanced back in Lisa's direction as Willard came to find her. He beckoned her to follow him outside. Curious whispers hissed though the congregation and all eyes momentarily focused on them as they left.

  "It's James, Lees, he was ambushed as he was getting into his car to come here,” Willard informed her. “He's busted up pretty badly. They took him to Toronto Western. I told Sandy and she understands that we have to leave immediately."

  "Ohmygawd, I tried to warn him to be careful, and earlier this morning I had another flash of that creepy Shane Dowd character, then I saw James shot down...” Lisa felt her stomach plummet to the ground.

  "Well it would appear that he heeded your warning. He was wearing his bulletproof vest and under arm holster, otherwise he could have been a lot worse off."

  It was a small comfort to her, but Lisa wasn't sure just how much it would be until she saw just how badly James was hurt.

  "There were a couple bloody baseball bats at the scene and I assume that's what the assailants used. But James managed to draw his gun and take one of them out, but the other one obviously got away. Come on I'll drive you."

  "No, it's okay, I'll meet you there.” Lisa said quickly, not sure she wanted chief to know of her personal involvement with James, and in her current emotional state, she was sure she would give something away if she had to ride to the hospital with him. She needed time alone in her car to compose herself.

  "Yer can't fool this old cock sweetheart, this is affecting you much more than you're letting on and I won't have you driving alone in this state, being a danger to yourself and others on the road."

  "I'll be fine, honestly...” Lisa protested.

  "Young lady, don't forget, I knew you when you were in pigtails, climbing trees and scraping your knees.” Reginald Willard countered sternly, tempered with an affectionate fatherly look at her. “Your daddy asked me to look out for you. It was the last thing he said to me before he died. And that's what I intend to continue doing. And I've seen how sparks fly between you and McGuinn. I may old and stuck on a bloody desk job but that doesn't mean I've lost my superb powers of observation. So as your substitute father and your commanding officer, I say you're coming with me."

  "Ok, you ol’ silver devil, you win.” She threw up a hand in resignation. With him giving her no chance to protest, Lisa allowed Willard to lead her to his car. She just didn't have the strength to argue with him right then.

  ROUGHLY TWENTY MINUTES later they arrived at Toronto Western Hospital where James had been taken, it being a less than ten minute drive from his place. He was out of the Emergency OR by then and in the recovery room where he could be monitored as he was coming out from under the anesthesia. For a few frightening moments Lisa thought he was dead, for the unmoving stillness in which he lay hooked up to an EKG along with a network of different tubes, and intravenous. Both Lisa and Superintendent Willard flashed their badges at the nurse who was in the room checking on James. While Willard left to go and find the surgeon who had worked on James while Lisa stayed beside him. His head and the right side of his face were swathed in bandage as well as his upper torso. The area of his face that wasn't bandaged was swollen and purpled. And one of his legs was completely plastered and in traction.

  "He's still under from the anesthesia and should be coming out of it shortly.” The nurse informed Lisa. “And I thought my job was dangerous. How do you guys do it everyday? Go out there and try to keep the public safe at the risk of what this poor guy's been through."

  "You try not to think that today could probably be the day you get shot down in the line of duty.” Lisa answered forthrightly. “And you're thankful at the end of each shift that you're still alive for another day to work at taking the criminal elements out of society."

  "What did they do to you?” She breathed, turning her attention to James, tears welling as she stood beside the bed holding his hand. “I swear to you James, I'm going to find the bastard that did this to you if it's the last thing I do. But please, please don't leave me now. You hear me? I won't let you."

  The nurse left Lisa alone with the patient and went to attend to another. Willard returned about ten minutes later.

  "So what's the prognosis?” Lisa asked anxiously.

  "He's going to live but it will be a while before he's able to return to work if ever.” Willard said with a somber expression. “They broke one of his legs, there are internal injuries which could have been a lot worse had he not been wearing the vest. However, the surgeon is most concerned about the blow he took to the head; he sustained a sub acute subdural hematoma. And Lees there's distinct possibility he could suffer memory loss, have seizures, severe headaches...."

  "Guys, how is he?"

  Both Lisa and Willard turned around to see Maury Rickman who liked to think of himself as the division's own version of Columbo, trench coat and all, and Jennifer Robbins, a petite pretty blonde in black jeans, sweater and faux fur waist coat. She looked like she was barely out of her teenage years, which was one of the reasons a lot of her cases involved her going back to high school, or being online perv bait. They were the two detectives who were at the scene of the crime to gather whatever extra evidence that could be found.

  "Knock on wood guys.” Willard said. “I was just telling Detective Mayne here that it's serious according to the surgeon who worked on him when he was brought in. What did you guys find out?"

  "Well the dead assailant at the scene was identified as Shane Dowd...."

  "What? How and when the fuck did he make bail? And why did no one inform me?” Chief exploded. “He was supposed to be kept locked up at the Don until his trial! He's a key suspect in the Shira Levenson abduction and murder fer Chrissakes! The fucking justice system in this country is really pissing me off more and more everyday.... What about the other chap?"

  "We ran the prints taken off the weapons they used and came up with a Robert John Dowd ... his brother with a record ... B & E, theft, possession, and assault. He's been out on parole three months from Kingston Pen.” Rickman informed. “He was picked up at the Bus Terminal at Bay and Dundas trying to board a bus heading to Midland."

  "While it is a moot point now, who bailed out Shane?” Lisa asked.

  "Apparently another brother, that's some hot shot production manager on the TV series that Ms. Levenson's on.” Detective Robbins answered.

  Suddenly Lisa who was standing closest to James heard the sound of a deep groan from him. She looked down at him to make sure she wasn't imagining what she heard. His eyelids fluttered open.

  "He's coming around guys.” Lisa cried never happier in her life to see someone wake up.

  "Hey you,” James greeted her in a weak voice that was more like a croak, with a wan smile."

  "Hey yourself ... welcome back partner.” She was crying and smiling at the same time. “You've got company ... Look who's come to visit you."

  Willard and the two other detectives stepped forward.

  "We got the other bastard who did this to you ol’ boy. And the one you took out was none other than Dowd. This time his accomplice was his brother.” Willard said gruffly, trying to keep his own feelings in check.

  "I'm not even going to ask how he made bail because it would just piss me off big time, and in my present state I don'
t think that would be advisable."

  "Wise move my man.” Willard agreed.

  "I guess we won't be temporary partners after all ... like old times eh partner?” Rickman said.

  "Nah, didn't want yer anyway.” James said with a weak grin and an attempt at banter. “But since you got the other miscreant that put me here, maybe I'll re-consider."

  "Don't sweat it McGuinn, I'll take Jenny here instead. She's prettier to look at than you are.” Pete Rickman bantered back.

  "Coming right back at you Rickman, Detective Mayne here is a far better sight than your face with a shadow after a night on stakeout."

  "He hasn't lost his smart mouth, obviously.” Pete Rickman grinned. “I take that as a sign that he's gonna be okay.” He chortled to Willard. However, no one at James’ bedside wanted to give away just how seriously injured he was ... at least not at that moment. They were just happy that he was still alive and with them.

  After Willard, Rickman and Robbins left, Lisa stayed with James who was soon moved into a private room. Still under the last vestiges of the anesthesia he drowsed off with Lisa sitting in the chair beside his bed, holding his hand, only to wake up a few hours later, feeling very thirsty. Lisa poured ice water from the jug that had been brought in by an aide earlier, into a cup with a straw and gave it to him.

  "You still have the extra set of keys I gave you last sweetheart?” James asked after finishing off the whole cup of water.

  "Yes, why? You want them back?"

  "No, I want you to say at my place while I'm in here. I need to keep my bed warm for me sweetheart. I'll be coming back to it not too long from now. Nothing can keep me down for too long. I refuse to let it. We both have a very important event to attend; your collaring ceremony, and that's not something I intend to miss.” He declared with a kind of grim determination, even through the pain that caused his expression to contort. That determination lead Lisa to believe that if anybody could pull though what had happened to him, James could. “Besides it'll drive me positively nuts to see you just sitting there beside me and not be able to even hold you close. Also, despite his species’ reputation, Arthur James doesn't really like being alone. I know he likes you, considering the performance he tried to put on with you last night before I walked in the door."

  Two crimson spots coloured Lisa's cheeks as she remembered. “What about the extra attire you had me wear this morning?” She whispered in his ears when a tall and attractive black nurse came in to check his temperature, take his blood pressure reading and give him a needle. In all of the commotion, Lisa had almost forgotten she was in secret bondage.

  "Hmmm, wait and I'll tell when we're alone again.” He whispered back as the nurse took his temperature, then his blood pressure.

  "Do you want me to notify your parents about what happened?” Lisa asked, switching to a more normal topic.

  "Can you sweetheart? Their number is programmed in to my phone at home. It's also in my cell phone under L and C McGuinn. I'll need mum to come and take care of my babies in the green house since you said that you're good with plants. No offence darlin’ if you really don't have a green thumb, the last thing I want you touching is my blue rose plant now that it's finally started to bloom. “None taken. I'm aware of my limitations and I fully agree with you there ‘pretty face'. Besides I couldn't bear accumulating any bad karma for killing your precious plants by merely touching them.” Lisa said drolly.

  "So you don't mind my mum dropping by every other day. Plants just seem to love her and anything she grows just flourishes?"

  "Heck no! I probably would see much of her anyway since I'll more than like be here with you. Does she have a key?"

  "Yes. I gave her one when I first moved in."

  "Detective McGuinn, I have to give you a painkiller shot.” The nurse announced after reading his blood pressure and removing the cuff from his arm.

  "As if I'm not busted up enough, now they're sticking needles into me.” James sighed with mock displeasure, and the nurse couldn't help but crack a smile. “Trust me detective, you'll be thanking me once the anesthesia completely wears off.” She informed him then picked up a cylindrical device also attached to the intravenous pole, but the cord at its end was actually attached to a plug in the wall. She placed it in other hand that housed his intravenous. “This is a pain pump. It's regulated by this little computer device you see attached here to the intravenous pole, so you can't overdose yourself. You just press the button here at the top whenever you need a shot.” The nurse explained, and put it down on the bed beside his hand into which the intravenous inserted.

  "What's in it?” He asked. On second thought, I don't think I want to know after all. Something tells me I won't like the answer I receive. Thanks nurse."

  You're welcome Detective McGuinn,” she said. “I'll be back in two hours to check on you again. Now get some rest.” She looked pointedly at Lisa. “Now you can tell your lady the secret and let her go home."

  "Hmm, I wonder if she might be a dominatrix?” He grinned after the nurse left.

  "You never know..."

  "What you're not going to use your second sight to find out?” He teased.

  "Surely McGuinn, you should know better,” Lisa chided him. “Anyway, you heard her, you need to get your rest and I've been ordered out as you heard, although she didn't come right out and say it. The inference was clear enough. So how do I get out of..."

  "Normally I won't let anyone ruin any of my play equipment, but I'll allow you to take a knife to the rope bra. The keys for the belt, you'll find in the top drawer of my night table. Now sweetheart I better let you go before Lady Dracula comes back to check and see if I'm obeying her orders. I don't think I like this one bit ... following someone else orders ... even if it's for the sake of my health."

  "The way I see it, you've got no choice McGuinn.” Lisa said in a bantering tone. “So buckle down and enjoy the experience for a change. You might just find that you like it after all.” She bent over and kissed him on the lips.

  "Not a chance in hell.” He riposted.

  "That big bed is going to be soooo lonely without you tonight. Well at least Arthur is there ... not same the really. I'll be back first thing in he morning or as soon as they allow me in. Good night pretty face."

  "Night sweetheart, oh and do bring me some interesting reading material and my laptop. It's on the shelf in the bedroom closet in a black leather case. Oh do make sure the playroom is securely locked when mother is expected to drop by. You'll find the key to lock it in my laptop bag. Not that she's the nosy sort. I'd rather not have her stumble into my den of inequity if you don't mind."

  "Anything else, master?” Lisa asked in a mock patronizing voice, grinning at him.

  "Just your gorgeous self in tight black PVC.” James chortled.

  "Don't tempt me McGuinn."

  "Then I'd have to arrest you for murder when I'm up and around, because every old geezer in this joint who spots you on the way in would probably succumb to massive a heart attack from the sheer excitement of having long his flaccid dick involuntarily standing at full salute again.” The injection that the nurse had given him was beginning to take effect, and he could feel the sandman descending.

  "Mmmm,” she mused, “and I can hardly wait ... to be arrested by you again..that is. Maybe I can come up with something less serious than murder by default to bring about that event. Now get some rest. I'll be back first thing in the morning.” Before she even finished her sentence, he had nodded off.

  Lisa steppe back close to his bed and kissed him on the lips again before leaving.

  Gawd James, I do hope and pray that you'll be okay. Please let him be okay and not experience any of the effects of his injuries that chief talked about earlier. Lisa prayed silently as she left the hospital knowing in her heart that she couldn't live without him now. If she never had another Dom in her life after James, Lisa would be content to remember the heights to which he took her.

  EPILOGUE

&nb
sp; JAMES REMAINED IN hospital for a month under close observation for his head injury as well as his internal ones. A week after he was brought in he started to experience the incapacitating headaches and dizziness as well seizures and had to be put on Dilantin. Following that, came the rigorous physical therapy of learning to walk again. He tried to stay positive and in good spirits but Lisa who spent practically all her time with him in the hospital when she wasn't at his place attending to Arthur's needs, could tell it was becoming more difficult by the day.

  "Come on McGuinn you told me that we have a collaring ceremony attend together, you can't let me down now. You're one of the strongest men I've ever met and you can pull through this.” She encouraged him.

  "Do you really still want half a man as your lover/master?” He asked testily one day after calming down from the seizures.

  "Even quarter of a man, as long as he's you, you big silly fella'.” She assured him.

  "Lisa, the doctor said I may experience these seizures for a very long time, possibly the rest of my life. I may never work as a police detective again..."

  "Don't say that! You will, and I'll be there beside you all the way covering your back, as your partner/lover/wife whatever you'll have me as.” She assured him in a passionate tone that he had never heard from her before, and the intense look in her eyes told him that she meant business.

  Earlier that morning before she came in he had been feeling despondent and the only thing he could think about was driving her away for her own sake. James just couldn't stand the thought of her giving up her chances with someone else to stay with him, now that he may not fully recover and be the man he was before. Now in the face of her declaration, James realized just how much he really needed Lisa by his side. It produced in him such a raw emotion that he had experienced only once before in his life when his former partner was murdered. He knew if for no one else, he was going to do everything he could to be whole again. He would do it for her. He was astute enough to know that when you met the one that was wholly right for you, you didn't reject the gift she was offering now out of some false sense of male pride.