True Desires

by Rhea Wilde

  I sighed a deep breath to try and shake the uneasy feeling in my stomach but it remained.

  “Just try to relax,” Holmes said. “We’re almost there.”

  I looked down at the ground and closed my eyes. I started thinking about everybody.

  Max… Marie… Kimmy… The shelter… Noah…

  I wondered if I would ever see them again. The chances of that seemed like they were dwindling. But before I could even think about them anymore, the van came to a halt.

  “We’re here.”

  I looked up at Holmes and he stared back at me. The seriousness on his face told me the situation was as grave as I thought it was. I looked at Dion and he wasn’t in a better mood.

  “Remember,” Holmes said. “Get to the docks and get Castle’s attention. Get a confession. Get him to confess as much as you can. Don’t force it though. If there’s any sign of trouble, even a little bit, don’t take any chances. Just say—”

  “Fresco,” I interrupted him. “I got it.”

  He nodded to me without saying another word. I looked at Dion and he was silent as well, giving me nothing more than a thumbs up. Detective Holmes slid open the van door. I exhaled a deep breath through my nostrils then stepped out. As soon as I got out, the door slammed shut behind me.

  What the hell am I doing?

  I stood in the darkness of an alleyway between two buildings that looked abandoned. I wrapped my arms around myself to wipe away the goose bumps on me even though it was as warm as every night was this summer. Then I stepped out into the streets and slowly made my way to the docks.

  I could see Harbor Drive a few blocks away in front of me. Even though I’d been there once before, this part of town was completely foreign to me. Gone were the usual stores and buildings I was so accustomed to. They were replaced by people and businesses I didn’t even know existed. Even the Taurus building seemed distant.

  I put my arms at my side to do my best to blend in. I didn’t want to look like I was in a place I didn’t belong. Just as they explained to me, I saw some women working the corners.

  A younger woman who looked like she was barely 18 leaned over into the passenger window of a car idled along the sidewalk. I had to do my best not to stare. A group of women I walked by didn’t share me the same courtesy. They were dressed in cut-off shirts that exposed their midriffs and shorts that barely covered them. I didn’t make eye contact with them. From the corner of my eye, I could feel their stares as they walked by me.

  I thought of Kimmy as I made my way by even more of the workers. The sight of the young women working the corners made me sick to my stomach. I was already trying my hardest to stay focused. Now the plan was the last thing on my mind. All I wanted to do at this point was get to the next step.

  Just get to the docks… Just get to the docks…

  I stared straight ahead and kept walking.

  “Who’s this bitch?”

  “You better keep moving! This is my spot!”

  “You ain’t got no business here!”

  A steady stream of jeers greeted me with every group and every woman I walked by. I was beginning to fear they could attack me at any moment.

  The sound of police sirens filled the air but they were distant. For a second, I thought something had happened. A part of me hoped the cops would just show up and get me out of this situation I suddenly found myself in. I hoped they found Castle and got a confession out of him.

  But nothing happened. I kept walking, making my way down each block, with the docks getting closer.

  I had to stop at the last corner when I got to a red light.

  Come on…

  I stood nervously at the street corner, waiting for the red light to turn green so I could finally get to the waterfront.

  “Oh, what do we have here?”

  I turned to the side and blinked in disbelief at the limo next to me.

  Oh, shit.

  The window of the passenger seat door was rolled down halfway. But that’s all I needed to see to know it was him. Victor Castle sat right in front of me.

  Holmes had explained everything but suddenly, the plan felt like nothing but a memory. This wasn’t how things were supposed to go.

  “Miss Cooper,” he said to me. “You look lost.”

  Shit… Shit…

  I looked down at the ground, searching for an answer.

  Fresco… Just say it…

  I couldn’t. Not without getting the confession out of him.

  “Miss Cooper, don’t be rude. I’m just trying to help. You need a ride?”

  “No thanks,” I said, finally responding to him.

  I just have to make it to the docks. Then the surveillance cameras will see. Then they’ll know where I am.

  The streetlight turned green and I began to walk briskly toward Harbor Drive. Castle’s limo continued to ease along the sidewalk, right along with me.

  “You know, it does look like you’re lost,” he said. “Why don’t you let me give you a ride?”

  “I said no thanks. I have a ride waiting for me.”

  “I don’t think so. I just got a message for you. From a couple of your friends, Officer Dion and Detective Holmes.”

  I stopped in my tracks. My heart dropped into my stomach.

  “Oh, so you do know them?”

  What… What’s happening?

  “Yeah, I spoke to them,” Castle said. “It looks like they’re not going to be able to pick you up.”

  I turned and looked at him. From the darkness inside of his limo, Castle smiled at me. His teeth gleamed at me. I’d never seen anything as sinister.

  My heart began to thump so loud I could hear it in my ears.

  “Fresco…”

  I whispered it, waiting for a bolt of lightning to come from the sky and saved me.

  “Now, don’t worry, Miss Cooper,” Castle said. “Everything will be all right. I’m going on a trip. I thought you’d want to come along. New Gardens must be getting a little boring for you.”

  Just then, the back door of the limo opened up. The mountain of a man I saw the last time I encountered Castle stepped out. He slowly walked toward me. I could hear Castle beginning to cackle from behind the window of his limousine door.

  The man approached me, stalking me like I was his prey. I stepped backward. I’d never known what terror was until he stood right in front of me.

  “Fresco… Fresco…”

  He raised his arm at me and in one blinding motion, swung his hand at me. The pain was hard and swift.

  Chapter 25

  Four months earlier…

  “Right here. This is it.”

  The cab slowed to a halt and pulled up alongside the curb. I stepped out and was welcomed by a waft of fresh spring air. I exhaled a deep sigh then looked up at the sign.

  ‘New Gardens Village Shelter’

  The sign looked like it was barely hanging on. That wasn’t the only thing. I looked around and saw all of the people on the streets. The homeless had small tents for housing every few meters. The buildings were abandoned and falling apart. It was a painful sight. The only thing that made it somewhat pleasant was the weather.

  I grabbed my box of belongings from the cab then watched it speed off. Just before I could step inside of the shelter, I heard a voice behind me.

  “Hello! What’s going on, little lady?”

  I turned and saw a friendly-looking older man with a big smile on his face.

  “You need some help with those things?” he asked.

  “No, I think I got it. I—”

  “You must be new here. My name’s Maxwell. You can call me Max though.”

  “Right… It’s nice to meet you, Max. How did you know?”

  “I know everybody up and down these streets. And the way you’re dressed tells me you don’t need the shelter.”

  “No,” I said, returning his smile. “No, I don’t.”

  “All right. Well, at least let me escort you in.”

  “
Sure.”

  I walked into the shelter with Max. He walked like he had a bounce in his step. It was a shame his attitude wasn’t infectious because the mood inside of the shelter was dreary. I suppose I couldn’t blame any of them. Everybody in there was down on their luck. It was up to me to try and change it.

  “We’ve got a lot going on here,” Max explained. “We’ve got a television, laundry service, bathrooms, a decent amount of beds, a kitchen. We’ve even got a garden in the back.”

  “It sounds like a lot, but I know that’s not enough.”

  “You’d be right. A lot of people need help.”

  “That’s why I’m here.”

  I made my way up to a stern-looking woman who stood near the entrance. She looked up from her clipboard and greeted me with a half-smile.

  “Hello,” she said. “How can I help you?”

  “I’m Sheila. Sheila Cooper. I’m—”

  “Oh, right. You’re replacing Mr. Regan. His office is in the back. Go ahead and make yourself at home. I’m a little busy at the moment.”

  “Sure. No problem.”

  I made my way through the shelter, observing all of the people going about their day. Everywhere I turned there was someone new. Single mothers. Former drug addicts trying not to relapse. Men who couldn’t get work and were just down on their luck. The sight wasn’t pretty and unfortunately, I’d seen it before. A part of me ached knowing it was happening right here in the city I grew up in.

  “Max, can I ask you something?” I said as I made my way to my office.

  “Sure. That’s what I’m here for.”

  “Does this place have any funding? I mean, besides what the city is providing?”

  “Not that I know of,” he said as he shook his head, a slight frown appearing on his face. “The shelter has enough for basic maintenance. We can feed a lot of mouths. But if something disastrous happens, it won’t be pretty.”

  “Right,” I sighed. “Who’s in charge of this place?”

  “Nobody really. It’s open to the public and city administrators kind of left it up to the people they hired. I guess that’d make you one of the people who run it.”

  “I guess it would… I should probably look into getting some funding for this place.”

  “How you gonna do that?”

  “The people who have money are always looking to donate. Private funding always helps. That’s how they do it at every shelter.”

  “You got any ideas? Maybe you should ask that Taurus fella. You know, in the big building.”

  “Yeah… I don’t think he’d give me the time of day. But there are other people.”

  “Say, I think I might know someone. I’ll look into it.”

  Max escorted me through the shelter and to my office. I walked inside and it was empty outside of a couple of chairs, a desk and an empty bookshelf that was quickly gathering dust. I set my things down on the desk and looked around.

  “This place is a mess,” Max said.

  “That’s all right. A place that’s messy is just a place that’s waiting to be cleaned.”

  “Right… I should probably let you get set up. I’ll be around if you need me.”

  “Sure thing. Thanks, Max.”

  “Anytime.”

  He winked at me and excused himself from the room. The door closed with a thud and I was left alone in silence. I made my way over to the desk then collapsed in the chair. My head rocked back. I stared at the ceiling and exhaled a deep sigh, knowing how much hard work was ahead of me.

  I was ready for this. I’d spent years traveling the world. The people were different but the situation was the same. Everybody just needed help. New Gardens was no different.

  There was a sudden knock at the door. I tilted my head back forward and stared at it.

  “Max?”

  The door slowly started to creak open. Instead of Max, there was a sheepish little girl there. She looked like she was still in her teens.

  “Hey,” I said to her with a smile. “Can I help you?”

  She looked at me and her eyes widened in surprise.

  “I’m sorry,” she said, her voice so low I almost didn’t hear her. “I thought you were Mr. Regan.”

  “Oh… Mr. Regan isn’t here.”

  “Oh…”

  She couldn’t hide the disappointment in her eyes. Her head dropped down and she turned around to leave.

  “Wait,” I said. “I’m Mr. Regan’s replacement. Is there something I can help you with?”

  She just looked at the ground. I jumped out of my seat instead of waiting for a response. It was clear something was wrong.

  “Come in,” I said as I approached her. “Come in. Have a seat.”

  She took a second before she finally walked inside of my office completely. She took a seat in front of the desk and I took my place across from her.

  “I’m Sheila. Sheila Cooper.”

  “Kimberly. People call me Kimmy.”

  “Right. Kimmy. Give me one second, Kimmy.”

  I searched my belongings and pulled out a notebook. I opened to the first page and scribbled her name down.

  “Do you have a last name?”

  “Woods.”

  “Kimberly Woods… Okay. What’s wrong, Kimmy? Something on your mind.”

  She had her face turned down. Her right arm ran along her left. I looked along her forearm and saw the scars and obvious needle marks.

  “It’s all right,” I told her. “You can tell me. Anything you tell me, I won’t tell anybody else.”

  “What… What if it’s something bad?”

  “Anything. It’ll be just between you and me. I promise.”

  She looked up at me. Her lips curled into the tiniest little smile. But it only lasted for a second.

  “I just… I just wanted someone to talk to,” she said. “Mr. Regan was always there to talk to.”

  “Okay,” I said as I nodded. “We can talk. What did you talk about?”

  “Just… things. He’d ask me about what was going on in my life and I’d tell him.”

  “I see… Kimmy, if you ever need someone to talk to, I’ll be here. It doesn’t matter what it is. I’m always here to listen, okay. You understand?”

  “I understand.”

  She still didn’t look comfortable. There was no point in trying to goad it out of her. Not when she barely knew me.

  “It’s all right,” I said. “You can come back next time if you wanna talk. I won’t make you tell me anything unless you want me to.”

  “Oh, it’s not that. It’s just… I’m having a little trouble.”

  “A little trouble? Trouble with what?”

  “Mmm…”

  She rubbed her arm a little more and I could see what she was getting at. I’d seen it before.

  I got up from my seat and walked toward her, resting my hand on her shoulder.

  “Have you seen the nurse?”

  She looked up at me and shook her head.

  “We should probably have her take a look at you. She’ll make you feel better. I promise.”

  “And then what?”

  “And… then what?”

  The question caught me off-guard. She looked at me with innocence in her eyes as I searched for the right thing to say.

  “And then we’ll figure out a way to make you stay better. How does that sound?”

  “It sounds… good.”

  She smiled at me. One of her teeth was missing and it made me that much more protective of her for a reason I couldn’t explain.

  “Come on,” I said. “Let’s go see the nurse.”

  “Thanks, Miss Cooper.”

  “Sheila… Just call me Sheila.”

  Chapter 26

  “Ugh…”

  I groaned from a throbbing pain in my head.

  What… What did I do last night?

  I tried to remember.

  Hangover? Drinking?

  Nothing came to me.

  “Wake up!”


  Noah. Was I with Noah? Or someone else?

  “I said wake up!”

  I opened my eyes wide and sat up straight. A gasp of breath shot down my throat. I began breathing fervently as if someone had just saved me from drowning.

  “There we are.”

  Fingertips on my chin. I shifted my gaze up. My vision started to clear. He stood right there in front of me. It was slowly coming back to me.

  “Come on. You’re all right.”

  He kept talking to me, a false sincerity in his voice. The lights of the room made my vision blurry, but I could make him out. A sinister smile I remembered all too well.

  “Miss Cooper. So good to see you again.”

  He looked the same as he did last time with a few small differences. He wasn’t wearing his sunglasses. His tie was black. And in his hand, he nonchalantly waved around a small handgun.

  I blinked my eyes again and tried to regain my senses. Still woozy from being struck, I was having trouble keeping things together. My head fell back and I looked up at the bright light hanging down from the ceiling. I couldn’t tell where I was. A small warehouse on the docks was something I could only assume.

  Around me, Castle’s men lined the walls like they did before. Stone-cold faces. Weapons holstered at their waists. Motionless while they observed me. Bender stood among them, the massive man standing tall over everybody and everything else in the room.

  I tried to stand up but couldn’t. I was tied to my seat, my wrists knotted with rope behind me. I struggled against my binds but it was futile.

  “Now, now,” Castle continued. “Don’t be in such a hurry to leave. I invited you over because I wanted to have a little chat with you. You know, I’ve gotten used to seeing your face. At the shelter. At the hospital. At the bars. You’re like an old friend.”

  How could he…

  He’d been following me, monitoring my every move.

  “You were harmless. I know. I could’ve done something but that damn cop was always following you around.”

  I ignored him. I began looking at the ground, frantically looking for any way to escape.

  “Fresco,” I whispered to myself. “Fresco…”