“Urgh….”
She moved onto her back and stared up at the ceiling. Her brain felt foggy and for a second, she had no memory of the night before. That was until she ran her tongue over her teeth and tasted scotch and sex. After her and Howard had fucked, she’d got a cab home and thought no more of him. Now, with a sober mind, she realized how terrible it was of her to lure a married man away from his wife. However, now she had more important things to think about. She was due to be in work in under an hour and she hadn’t had more than two hours sleep.
Climbing out of bed and making her way to the bathroom, she felt repulsed by her reflection. Dark and deep circles were forming below her eyes and her hair looked wild.
“Jesus,” she grimaced at herself before climbing in a hot shower.
As the water revived her and she thought about the day ahead, she remembered she was on surveillance today. Not her favorite part of the job but at least it was easy. Stepping out the shower and making her way to the kitchen, she made herself a strong coffee and let the smell wake her up. It was going to be a long day.
“Cassie?”
“What?”
“Do you believe in ghosts?”
She paused for a second and glared at him.
“No, Matt. Why would you even ask me that? You of all people should know I don’t believe in all that woo woo stuff.”
He turned away embarrassed and looked out the window with his cheeks burning.
“I just think the streets are full of them sometimes.”
“I guess they’re full of memories, if you wanna look at it that way.”
He shrugged and pulled a pack of cigarettes out the glove box.
“Bad memories,” he mumbled as he held a cigarette between his lips.
The flame illuminated the inside of the Toyota Sequoia and shone into the grooves of Matt’s face. Cassie noticed he’d started to age fast, his jet black buzz cut now peppered with streaks of white.
“I hate being on surveillance,” he leaned back in his seat and exhaled a plume of smoke.
It lingered in the air, heavy and putrid.
“I thought you stopped smoking,” she picked up his pack of cigarettes and tossed it back in the glove box with a frown.
“I’m starting again tomorrow.”
“You always say that.”
“Whatever,” he shrugged again. “Don’t know why you care so much. Most weekends you drink like your life depends on it.”
“Hey!” she gave him a little playful shove. “I’ll have you know it’s medicinal.”
He rolled his eyes and laughed.
“Anyway, what’s so wrong with surveillance? We get to see a side to Portland that most people don’t know exist.”
“Yeah, there’s a reason for that,” he smiled to himself as he sucked on his cigarette. “Nobody should ever have to know this side of the city exists.”
“I think it’s interesting.”
“I think it’s fucking tragic.”
“You always have a bad word to say about everything.”
She pulled out her phone and checked the time. They’d been watching a known crack house for over five hours but there still hadn’t been any activity. Both the detectives were growing tired and irate, bickering with each other at any opportunity, but that was nothing new. In the two years they’d been partners, they’d become like brother and sister. They were closer than a married couple at times, but the forced proximity of their relationships could sometimes make them want to strangle one another.
“I need to step outside,” Matt opened the door. “Gotta get some air.”
“Hey!” she leaned over the gear stick to try and grab him but he was out of reach.
“You idiot! Are you trying to look conspicuous?”
He turned his back to her.
“You’re being a petulant child, Matt.”
“I just can’t stand being cooped up in this God damn car any longer. My ass is all pins and needles. And there’s no one here to see me. This place is a freakin’ dead zone. Not even the junkies wanna come here anymore.”
“Just get back in the car,” Cassie pinched the bridge of her nose. “It’s freezing.”
“Urgh,” he climbed back in after tossing his cigarette in the snow. “Why are women always so cold?”
“It helps to numb the pain of putting up with men.”
The pair grew silent. Cassie was bored and began fiddling with her phone, reading the news and checking her text messages. She glanced up every few moments to check on the house but every time she did, she saw the lights were off. Matt huffed beside her. She could smell the nicotine on his breath. She never understood why someone would want to smoke. Cigarettes made her think of an old aunt she used to spend the summers with as a child. She’d smoke nonfilter woodbines and sit out on the porch blowing smoke up to the stars as she sipped her sherry. The smell used to drift up to Cassie’s window as she tried to sleep and make her cough. She still clung to the pungent memory but didn’t know why.
Having answered all her messages, she turned to Matt. His face was screwed up as he chewed on a thumbnail. He was in deep thought, his eyebrows sinking low over his eyes and his left hand tensing up into a fist.
“There’s something wrong isn’t there?” Cassie asked with a softness in her voice that she reserved for the most delicate of situations.
“It’s Karen,” he leaned across the steering wheel. “She’s leaving me.”
“Oh God… Matt, I’m so sorry.”
She placed a hand on his back. It felt awkward but she wanted to comfort him somehow.
“What happened?” she asked. “I thought you two were still pretty tight.”
“I thought so too but… she’s met someone else.”
Cassie didn’t know what to say. She’d known Karen as long as she’d known Matt and she felt the sudden compulsion to drive over to their home and slap the woman in the face.
“What a bitch.”
“Eh?”
“Karen… What a bitch.”
“You’re telling me.”
“You deserve better than her. Maybe she’s done you a favor. Shown her true colors before you got any more serious.”
A stormy look came over his eyes as he reached for another cigarette.
“I got her a ring,” he sparked the lighter. “Not that she’ll ever know about it now.”
Cassie parted her lips to speak but before she could, there was a screech and the smell of burning rubber. She looked up and saw a car speed past before hitting the brakes and sliding along the frozen tarmac. It flew hood first into a mailbox before gliding over the crack house’s front lawn, tearing up the grass as it halted.
“What the fuck?” Cassie ripped off her seat belt and jumped out the car.
Matt was close behind her as they ran. After being in the safety and warmth of the car, Cassie gasped as the cold air rushed into her lungs. Her breath formed into clouds in front of her face as she ran while her boots crunched on the frost. She could see the driver. He had traveled through the windshield with his top half on the hood. The glass had been shattered with the force of his head and now lay like glittering snow on his leather jacket, catching the light from the moon above.
As the detectives approached, they could see a young man with blood streaming from his head. It cascaded down the front of the car and melted the snow. Cassie was sure he was dead. She hung her head and placed her hands on her hips, grimaced and turned to Matt.
“What the fuck happened here?”
“I-I have no idea,” he stuttered. “I’ll call it in.”
Then there was a noise. A rush of air and a big wheeze. The man was alive. They rushed to his side. For a moment they could see his eyes open. He stared at them in terror and opened his mouth. There was blood dripping through his broken teeth.
“The others,” he croaked. “You have to find the others.”
Chapter Three
Cassie held a paper cup of coffee in her hands. Th
e heat was warming her, calming her. She looked down and saw there was still blood on her boots. It made her shiver once again. Holding the cup to her lips, she let the steam rise and revive her face. Taking a sip, she let the bitter liquid soothe her. Looking into the distance, she could see a television in the corner of the waiting room. A gameshow was on, a chipper and vulgar contradiction to the misery of the gray-walled hospital.
The place was crowded with late-night casualties, mainly bar room brawlers with cuts to the head and broken noses. Someone behind her threw up but she didn’t turn to look. In front of her double doors swung open and shut as a new patient got wheeled into the intensive care unit.
Matt was at the coffee machine pushing coins into the slot. He leaned his forehead against the wall as he waited for his cup to be filled. He bit his thumbnail again and Cassie could hear the crunching from where she was seated.
“Stop that,” she furrowed her brow and slapped his leg. “It’s a disgusting habit.”
“Jesus,” he pulled his hand away from his mouth. “Stop nagging me.”
He took his coffee and sat down beside her.
“I’m real shook up, alright?”
“Yeah, me too.”
“That was some crazy shit back there.”
“Yup,” Cassie nodded. “I can’t believe he’s still alive.”
“A Christmas miracle!” Matt performed his best jazz hands in her face.
She pushed them away.
“How long do you think we have to wait here?” she grumbled and looked up at the clock.
“Who knows? At least it’s more entertaining than sitting in the car freezing my ass off.”
Cassie looked annoyed.
“We were on to something back there and you know it. Now it’s all ruined!”
“You are joking, right? That place was empty. Whoever was living or dealing there had left already. Probably knew he was being watched.”
“That’s total crap, Matt. We just had to-“
“Detectives?”
A young doctor barged out through the double doors, his shoes squeaking on the linoleum. Cassie and Matt stood up with their badges in their hands. The doctor waved a hand to dismiss them.
“It’s ok,” he gave them a weak smile. “I’ve seen you in here before.”
“It’s almost like a second home,” Cassie rolled her eyes.
“I know the feeling. Anyway, if you’d like to follow me.”
He strode away before they had the chance to answer. Walking through the doors, they were soon hit with the sound of life-saving machinery beeping from every bed. There was the smell of fear, sickness, and antiseptic in the air. It made Cassie nauseous and she swallowed down her anxiety. As they reached a private room, the doctor knocked his knuckles on the window.
“Your man’s in here.”
“So how is he?” Matt asked as he pulled a notepad from his back pocket. “Has he mentioned any family we need to contact?”
The doctor shook his head.
“Has he mentioned anything at all?” Cassie spoke with raised eyebrows.
The doctor hesitated for a moment and glanced behind him at a nurse clutching a bed pan. He looked worried, his eyes darting all over the ward. Cassie noticed his left foot was jiggling up and down.
“I don’t think this is a standard car crash.”
“You think there were drugs involved?” Cassie thought out loud.
“Erm… Maybe,” the doctor pursed his lips and looked down at the clipboard in front of him. “He’s saying some strange things.”
“So he’s awake?” Cassie beamed. “That’s great!”
“Yeah, he’s awake alright. In fact, he’s manic, won’t shut up.”
“So we can get in to talk to him right?” Cassie asked with her hand on the door handle already.
“You can talk to him all you want but please remember he’s been through a traumatic experience. It may be more suitable to wait until the morning.”
“But I don’t understand,” Cassie crossed her arms. “I thought he was talking already.”
“He is but… Like I said, he’s saying crazy things.”
“Well it’s my job to ascertain if they’re crazy or not,” she spoke with a finality that made the doctor take a step back.
“I just wanted to warn you,” he continued. “He’s delirious, not coherent. He’s obviously still in shock.”
“It’s ok. If he’s too out of it, we’ll come back tomorrow.”
She pushed open the door. The first thing she saw was the bandage around his head. It was saturated with blood. He tried to speak through his parched lips but all that came out was a husky voice, dehydrated and desperate.
“The others,” he raised a hand to Cassie.
She was surprised to see there was any strength in him after the crash. He gripped her coat sleeve, dug his fingertips into her arm.
“There are more back there.”
“Back where?” she leaned in close to him, her mouth hovering inches above his mouth.
“The house… the big house out in the woods.”
She stood up straight as she tried to understand what he was saying. She looked into his eyes. They were icy blue with an intelligence that transcended the chaos around him.
“Who are these people?” she tried to pull her arm away but he refused to let go. “Are you saying they’re hurt?”
“They’re going to die.”
She looked across the bed at the doctor. He gave her a troubled look.
“These people, are they friends of yours? Family?”
He closed his eyes and licked his lips, his tongue running over the chapped skin of his mouth.
“Please… you gotta find them. The guy’s a psycho.”
“What guy?”
“The guy in the woods!” he yelled, gripped her tighter and yanked her toward him.
His heart monitor began to beep at a ferocious speed as his heart rate rose. She tried to pry his bloody fingers from her arm but it was impossible.
“You gotta find them!” he screamed, his voice screeching with pain.
“Ok that’s enough,” the doctor stood between them.
He waved a nurse into the room and she hurried inside with a syringe of pink valium. Pressing the needle into the man’s arm, he struggled for a moment, gritting his teeth together. Then he became limp with his fingers falling away from Cassie’s arm. She pulled back her coat sleeve and rubbed at the red patch of skin. She’d be bruised in the morning.
“I’m afraid I’m going to have to ask that you come back tomorrow,” the doctor ushered the detectives to the door. “I’m sorry but like I said, he’s in a real state of shock.”
“Yeah, he is.”
Cassie took one last look at him over her shoulder as she left. His eyes were still fixed on her, pale and penetrating.
“See you tomorrow,” she nodded at the doctor.
But he was already gone, seeing to another emergency across the ward.
Chapter Four
Cassie was exhausted. She sipped on a green smoothie she brought from home but she didn’t notice its flavor, she was too busy thinking about the night before. Her mind couldn’t make sense of it all. As she sat outside Sergeant Munro’s office, she had a knot in her stomach. Matt was beside her, his face haggard and gray.
“He’s gonna be mad,” she said. “We’re no further forward with that stupid crack house. Haven’t made any arrests yet, not even seen anything worthwhile.”
“I think we’ve got bigger things to worry about.”
Matt looked up. He could see the sergeant in the distance with his red, shiny complexion and immaculate, black suit.
“Bigger things?”
“The crash, that guy… all the things he said.”
“You actually believe him?” Cassie asked with a hint of skepticism.
Matt thought for a second.
“The look in his eyes, I’ll never forget it. There’s some truth in their somewhere. That fear
was real.”
“I’m not sure. I think he was hallucinating or something after the crash and all the painkillers he was on. I mean mysterious people being held captive in the woods, sounds like a horror movie.”
The Billionaire's Trap Page 2
