by K. S. Adkins
“Proud of what? That I actually leave the city sometimes?”
“Well, yeah,” I say. “That, and all these things I’m finding out about you impress the fuck outta me. Tommy seems like good people. That officer in bad shape then?”
“Tommy, and training here, has given me the balance I’ve needed over the years. He’s quality people. He also has very limited knowledge about my past, but he knows some, and he’s helped me work with my phobias. Officer Doss is a good cop. No. He’s a great cop. He’s a year younger than me, and was shot off duty. I didn’t go to the fundraiser, obviously, but I wanted him to know I was thinking about him. No big deal.”
“It is a big deal,” I say. “You’re a better shot than me, too, did you pick up on that?”
“You were holding back.”
“No,” I say. “I wasn’t.”
“I call bullshit.” She laughs. “But let’s grab some carry out, yeah?”
“Okay, yeah,” I say. “I’d want you at my back any day, just want you to know that.”
“You’ve had my back many times already. I’m happy to return the favor,” she says, smiling. “It’s what partners do.” Then she leans over and kisses me, in public.
We grab some take out Coney, another cup, then head back, and I can’t hide my smile. I had fun today. The range is one of the things I usually do alone, and it was amazing to have someone to partner with. I’ve taken Macy before, and between her getting asked out, and her wanting to shoot every gun in the case, I usually leave her home now, which pisses her off. She’s into guns a little too much. She’s a healer, and she should never need to shoot a gun, but I sleep better knowing she could if she had to.
“Thanks for coming,” I say. “I had fun today.”
“Wouldn’t have missed it for the world. You missed your calling, Angel.”
“I’m where I should be.”
“What time do you need to be at the club? I need to check in with the Cap today, too.”
“I usually drop in around four,” I say. “Why don’t you drop me and come back when you’re done? Max will be there, and I only need about two hours.”
“I don’t like the idea of you being there alone.”
“I won’t be,” I say. “I have Max and Hunny.”
“Who the fuck is Hunny?”
“My gun, of course.”
“You named it?”
“Like you didn’t name yours?”
“True.”
“Spill it.”
“Not likely.”
“Why not?” I ask. “Guns are personal. I won’t laugh.”
“Fine. It’s Zeus.”
“No shit,” I say. “I like it.”
“Yeah, whatever,” he says, looking embarrassed. “Two hours and no more, agreed?”
“Agreed. We have some time to kill when I’m done. Got any plans?”
“Actually, yeah. I wanted to cook you dinner at my place.”
“Do you want my help?” I ask. “What are we having?”
“I’ll handle it. I was thinking of inviting Rafe, if you want to ask Macy.”
“I’ll text her, but this could blow up in our faces, you know that, right?”
“Of course, I do.” He laughs. I love when he laughs. But I really love when his evil side comes out.
“I’ll text her,” I say, smiling back because, despite what Briggs did, not all cops are bad. Even with Rafe’s smart mouth, I think he’d be good for Macy.
We listen to music, and I reflect on today a little longer. I wait to hear from Macy, but she’s on shift, so it may be a while. I glance over at him, and he’s smirking. I use my stealth like skills and snap a picture of him. I have to say the album of us is really shaping up.
“Phone charged?” he asks, pulling around back.
“80% and going strong,” I say. “Yours?”
“Cute, keep it with you.”
“Yes, detective,” I say, leaning in for a kiss.
“Say it again,” he moans.
“Yes.” Lick. “Detective.” Lick.
“Woman,” he says, fighting himself from taking me right there in the truck.
“Look at me, Detective.” When he opens his eyes. “I’ll be right here in two hours.” I put up two fingers. “Scout's honor.”
“Angel, wait—”
“Two hours,” I say, and jump down and he waits while I let myself in.
I hear his Yukon rev up and leave, and as excited as I am for dinner, I want to get this inventory done first. In the back of my mind, though, I have this feeling of foreboding, and I don’t know if it’s because my playing matchmaker may not be a great idea, or something else. It must be the matchmaking. Macy is fucking scary when she’s upset.
I put my bag in my locker and stuff my phone in my back pocket so I don’t lose it with my constant bending over. As usual, Max has music on. He likes his noise like I do. Since Max practically lives here, I can’t say as I blame him. I’ve crashed out on his office couch plenty times, and it’s sad to say his couch is way more comfortable than mine. I grab the clipboard from the wall outside of the beer cooler, and look it over. I typically do beer first, liquor second, pop/juices and fruit last. What can I say? I fucking hate being cold. Max has offered to let someone else take over in this, but like everything else, I’m a bit of a control freak. I handle the beer cooler rather quickly, and hang the clipboard back with the new order attached. I head down the hall and move toward the bar itself to do the liquor.
Just as I make a left, thereby crossing the dance floor and passing my platform, I hear yelling. Actually, I hear two voices, not one. This is odd to me, considering I only saw Max’s Tahoe in the alley, and during the day there’s no parking out front. I walk over to his office but I don’t knock. I do what I do best, I listen.
“Leave her out of this,” says Max.
“I’m not going to ask you again. She will do this for me, and you will make it happen.”
“Fuck you, man,” says Max. “She doesn’t do private appearances. I told you that more than once.”
“She will,” he says. “For me. I spend a lot of money here, and if you value your club, you will see that it happens and soon. I’m done being ignored. Make it happen.”
“The blow must be fucking with your comprehension skills, because,” says Max, “it. Ain’t. Happening.”
“You prefer I force her, then?” he says. “Because I will. I offered you a choice. You will see it done, or she’ll suffer for it.”
“She’s suffered enough!” says Max, pushing his chair back. “Leave her the fuck alone.”
“Do not tell me what she’s suffered! You know jack shit about her! You will deliver her to me, or I’ll burn this place to the fucking ground with you in it.”
“You threatening me?” asks Max.
“I’m stating fact,” he says.
“Was it you who fucked with the club the other night?” asks Max. “Those your flunkies you sent in here for her? Was it your flunkies who did this to my face?!”
“I don’t have her in my possession, now do I?” he asks. “The giant you hired to guard her was a nice touch, however, he won’t be a problem for much longer, either.”
“She isn’t a possession, you son of a bitch!” spits Max. “You been following her?”
“You’ve looked out for her long enough. It’s my turn.”
“You’re fucking delusional. Get your flunkies, get the fuck outta my club, and stay the fuck away from her.”
“I see you’ve forced my hand in this,” he says. “I had hoped we could remain friends.”
“Fuck you,” says Max. “The second you fixated on her we stopped being friends.”
“Fixated?” He laughs. “You can’t comprehend what I’ve gone through to be even this close to her. You think she’s the only one who suffers? You know what? You sit here, with that fuck Gallo, and parade her around like a show piece. You allow her to put herself in harm’s way, day after day. I will terminate anyone wh
o gets in my way. The giant, Gallo, and even you, friend. You’re all done corrupting her.”
“How the fuck do you even know her?” asks Max.
“She’s the path I should have followed,” he says. “The one that got away. Well, that’s not true, really, she lost her shit and you helped her to become this killer, when it should have been me saving her! You and Gallo fucking ruined her! If you don’t make it happen, I’ll kill you all. You have until Friday to get back to me.”
“You’ve made a mistake here tonight,” says Max. “Even if you kill me, Gallo will kill you.”
“Anthony Gallo is the very least of my concerns, Max. I want her secured by Friday.”
I can hear chairs being moved, and I know he’s moving toward the door. But I’m frozen. Digesting all I’ve heard. I can’t find the strength to move an inch.
No! No! No! I scream in my head. It just can’t fucking be!
When? How? Why? All of these things are at war in my brain as I back away. I can’t take my eyes off of that door. I want to see who walks out, just in case I’m wrong. I need to see who walks out, because I have to be wrong.
Hearing the door open, I continue backing away, heading toward the beer cooler, where I won’t be seen. Now hidden beside the cooler, I decide I need my phone and Hunny, but I want to scream when I remember I left her in my locker.
Calling Rogue is my top priority, followed closely by getting the fuck out of here. I grab my phone out of my back pocket, and I hit his name on my speed dial, hoping for service back here, and before I can lift the phone to my ear I feel someone looking down on me. I feel his breath on the top of my head. I look up to see if it’s really him, and before I can even blink, my head is smashed off of the concrete the wall, and no phone call was made.
“You’re sure she’s safe with him?” asks the Cap.
“Max loves her like a sister, she’s safe.”
“You love her too don’t you?”
“I do,” I say. “More than anything. We need to put this case to bed, so we can move on.”
“That makes an old man happy,” he says. “Her dad would have been pleased, son. I couldn’t think of any man better suited for her. I used to hope her and Gary would take the plunge, but once he started using, he stayed away from all of us, but especially her. I think it broke her heart.”
“I really don’t like hearing about her and another guy, even if he is your son. You don’t mention your son much for obvious reasons, but they were tight from the sounds of it so I won’t go there. She has a big heart, Captain, and I ain’t got no plans on hurting it.”
“I get it, Rogan. She’s a private one, like you. Did you know she used to train here with the new recruits every summer from the time she was thirteen?”
“That doesn’t surprise me,” I say, laughing. “She’s a competitive one.”
“She is,” he says, smiling. “She’s also humble. Gets that from her dad, too. When I remember her back then, so fierce, with no cares, I always knew she’d make a name for herself, just didn’t see it panning out like this.”
“She’s finding her way. We’re helping each other. How did she do, keeping up with the recruits?”
“Top of the class,” he says smiling. “Every fucking time.”
My pocket vibrates, and I see it’s her calling, she must have finished early.
“Speaking of, that’s her now,” I say hitting the talk button.
“Give her my love,” says the Cap, walking away and I nod.
“Angel?”
“Fuck!” This from a voice I don’t recognize.
“Venessa!” I yell into the phone.
“She needs a hospital, God dammit!” I recognize Max.
“Which one of you did this!” Again that voice.
“Get the fuck outta my way, I’m taking her to the hospital,” says Max.
“Who dared to touch her?” he asks.
“Fuck, I didn’t know who she was! She was trying to call someone, I freaked, man!” says another voice.
“Touching her was a fatal mistake,” he says, and then I hear a single shot fired.
“Jesus Christ, the fuck is the matter with you?!” says Max.
“Get her to the hospital,” he says. “You have until Friday.”
“Venessa,” says Max, desperate. “Venessa wake up sweetheart, show me those pretty eyes.”
“M-M-ax?” she says, and my knees hit the floor. I notice the Captain talking to me, but I can’t hear.
“I’ve got you, sweetheart,” he says. “Fuck, Venessa, I’m so sorry. I won’t let anything happen to you, stay with me, okay?”
“Hurts,” she says. “Need him.”
“I’m taking you to the hospital, Venessa. I’ll call Rogan and Tony,” he says.
“Just Ro…“ she says, losing consciousness again.
“Venessa!” I yell, over and over again.
The Captain looks frantic, and all I can do is say her name, on repeat. He grabs my phone, and tells me we’ll find her and uses my phone to locate her. Thank fuck he was here, because I’m utterly useless right now. I can’t breathe. Someone hurt her, Max is taking her to the hospital, and I wasn’t there. I wasn’t fucking there!
“Son,” says the Captain. “Look at me. She’s headed to Receiving, alright? Rafe’s picking you up, and I’ll be right behind you.”
“Cap…“
”She’s strong, Rogan,” he says. “Stronger than any of us, she’ll make it. She has to.”
“The fuck happened?” says Rafe, looking around.
“Venessa is en route to Receiving, and you need to get Rogan there,” says the Cap.
“Why is she headed there?”
“The club,” I say. “Someone hurt her, Max has her.”
“Where the fuck were you?”
“Not now, Rafe,” says the Cap. “Get him there.”
“I wasn’t there…” I say, over and over, and Rafe doesn’t respond. He just drives like his life depends on it. I don’t know how badly hurt she is, but if she doesn’t recover, neither will I.
Badges flashed, we’re told to wait, like everyone else, because she’s in surgery. I think I’m shock, because I just sit there. Rafe, though, looks ready to kill. He asks me to hear the thread so I hand him my phone, he replays the conversation but I tune out. I can’t listen again. He comes back minutes later, and he’s mutinous.
This hurry up and wait shit is killing me.
The double doors open, and Max walks into the waiting room. Rafe doesn’t hesitate; he just grabs Max and starts beating the ever loving shit outta him. Still, I sit. I do notice, however, Max is not fighting back.
Security comes in. Rafe flashes his badge again, and tells them both to fuck off.
“Start talking,” says Rafe.
“They have to relieve the swelling in her head,” he says, looking at me.
“Don’t look at him motherfucker,” says Rafe. “You look at me. Why would they need to relieve the pressure in her head?”
“Because one of James’ men bashed her head into the wall,” he says.
“Who is James, and why would one of his men bash her head into the wall?” asks Rafe, clenching his fists.
“James wants her for a private appearance. I said no. We were arguing about it. I didn’t even know she was there yet. He must have thought she was listening in,” he says.
“Was she?” asks Rafe.
“She must have doing inventory,” he says. “I don’t know, I just told you I didn’t know she came in.”
“So one of his men sees her, and just casually bashes her head in?” asks Rafe.
“I didn’t see it until I walked out and saw her on the floor. I grabbed her and ran her here,” he says.
“No ambulance?”
“You fucking serious?”
“What happens Friday?” I ask, standing up.
“He wants her by Friday, or he says she’ll suffer, and he’ll kill all of us,” he says.
“Who is James
to you?” I ask.
“I met him about eight years ago. He came into the club a lot to see Kharma, I mean, Venessa. Shit,” he says.
“Keep going,” I say.
“He always asked about her, but I never let him get close to her. He stayed away until today. He always has cash, spends a lot, does the VIP thing, so I left him alone.”
“Until now,” I say.
“He came in outta nowhere, man, started demanding Venessa, basically that she belonged to him and shit, that he loved her and a bunch of other nonsense. He knew about who she was, what she did, and who you were, too. These were the type of fucks I was trying to protect her from! Where the fuck were you?” he yells.
“Enough,” says Rafe, stepping in when Max lunges for me. I look down at his hands, wrapped in my shirt and was about to laugh, until I saw that he was covered in blood. Venessa’s blood.
Rafe breaks us apart, and Max takes out his phone, and asks who he’s calling. Max replies with 'Tony', and that he’d want to be here.
I hear him relay the same information he just shared with us, and obviously he’s on his way now, too. Max has her phone, and I demand it back. He walks over and hands it to me, and I hold onto it like a life line. Needing to connect with her somehow, I scroll through all the pictures she took of us, recognizing most; but not others. I see a missed call from Macy and know that I need to call her, that she would want to be here.
The Captain runs in, with several uniforms from the department. When Macy picks up, she says she’ll be right down and hangs up. Right down? Right, she must work here.
The next three hours are a shit show. Everyone — The Captain, Rafe, Max and Tony — all hammer Macy with questions, and each time she returns from checking, she comes over to me first to give me an update. She held herself together, I’ll give her that. That and she loves Venessa. She leaves to get another update, and Rafe looks like he wants to protect her, and I know that would make my Angel happy, too.
When she comes out next, she has the doctor with her, and I don’t like the look on his face. The Captain, Rafe, Max and an oddly quiet Tony all flank me.
“Dr. Bozworth” she says “This is Venessa’s boyfriend, Rogan, Police Captain Frisk, Rogan’s partner Rafe, and that’s Max and Tony.” I notice her flinch and she realized she’s said too much.
