Case of the Hot Dog

by Erik Schubach

  I started kicking off my shoes and reaching up to unbutton my sundress. She actually stopped mothering me, and her face flushed bright red as she made a hasty retreat, closing the door after Calvin flowed in to see what all the fun was about.

  I found myself smiling evilly. Had I just found the way to shut up the aggravating jerk cop Then I paled... what if she had stayed? I felt my cheeks heating.

  I looked at Cal as I gathered my pajamas. A flannel cat print set. A gag gift from my mom, she knows that dogs rule and cats drool. “Well boy, looks like I'm still a prisoner. I was better off in the cage. At least I could break out of it.”

  He cocked his head as I felt a shiver, clasping my hands to stop them from shaking at the thought of that cage again. I could still feel the cold concrete under me.

  Shuffling into the bathroom, I locked the main door and slid Jane's connecting door closed, pausing to let Calvin out. I started the hot water in the tub, then turned to the mirror.

  I winced.

  It looked like I had lost a fight with a box full of crazy. My hair was everywhere, and half my face was bandaged and taped. I had a black eye under my good eye. I still don't know how that one happened. My arms were still bandaged from the cuts and scrapes I got when cutting the tape from them on the jagged latch.

  I crossed my arms over my belly and rubbed the ugly greenish yellow bruises on them with my thumbs. I started to shake again as I let my dress and undergarments drop to the floor, then I carefully lowered myself into the tub. It felt sinfully good.

  Glancing at the wall, toward where my friends and family were, I dropped my brave act and then silently sobbed.

  I don't know how long I just floated there. Eventually, a soft knocking came from Jane's bathroom door. “Fin, everything ok in there?”

  I looked around, the water was getting cold. I blurted, “Yeah. Yes, everything's fine. I'll be right

  out. Sorry, I lost track of time.”

  I was a living prune. I'd strike a prune pose if I knew how they posed.

  I watched her door as I got out and started draining the tub and drying off. I could see the shadow of her feet breaking up the line of light coming under it. When she heard me moving around, then she finally moved.

  I got into my jammies and put my clothes in the hamper. Then looked in the mirror again. At least I looked refreshed. The recipient of my very own Black Friday trampling but refreshed. I looked rather plain I thought, without my makeup.

  I combed out my hair and decided I had kept the peanut gallery waiting long enough, I could dry it later. My normally loose wavy curls were spiraled up tight.

  I slid Jane's door open, glanced into her empty room, then sighed and headed to the main bathroom door. I steeled myself as I unlocked it, then took a breath and plastered a smile on my face before I stepped out.

  A little cheer went up. Gar called out, “We were beginning to think you fell in.”

  I gave him the one finger salute as I blushed.

  Mom came motoring to my side. “Have a seat, baby girl. I'm sure you're glad to get out of that hospital. It was harshing your mellow, or whatever it is the kids are saying nowadays.”

  Ok, I snorted and echoed with a disbelieving look on my face. “Mom... nobody says harshing your mellow.”

  She made a dismissive gesture, then waved Jane off who was coming to my side, batting at her with windmilling hands. Jane held her hands up in surrender and moved aside with an amused grin so mom could lead me to the love seat like I was some sort of invalid. “Mooom, there's nothing wrong with my legs.”

  Gar supplied, “I'm surprised something could actually crack that thick skull of yours.” The look of concern on his face belied the sibling teasing, I grabbed his hand briefly as I moved past and he gave mine a little squeeze. I'm sure he could feel Bek's eyes burning a hole through his back.

  When I sat, I stopped breathing when Jane joined me on the loveseat. I tried really hard not to sigh when she held an arm out for me to lean against her and she hugged me to her protectively.

  She was so strong, yet gentle. That dichotomy of strength and femininity was sexy as hell, and it made me feel safe. I felt as if she knew what I had been doing in the bathroom. I didn't care, and I snuggled in to let her scent envelop me, letting me know I was safe and loved.

  I looked at the faces around me and squinted an eye as I noted some missing faces and missing tails. I was about to ask as mom retrieved water from the fridge for me, but right on cue, the front door

  opened, revealing Pollyanna arguing with Raife.

  He started to argue back as they led the dogs in on their leashes and I almost chuckled when she slapped the back of his head then pointed at him menacingly as she squinted up to see him, her glasses on top of her head. He was actually smiling at her as he quipped, “What is it with your family and always needing to be right?”

  I had to blink. That was his seductive smile and tone of voice. The little smirk on Polly's face when he bent to unclip the dogs as she looked at his ass, had my jaw dropping open. I looked at Jane with my mouth still open in shock. She shrugged and grinned. By the swishing tail and lolling tongue, she was sweet on him!

  I grinned. Raife didn't stand a chance.

  The dogs came hustling over, wagging their tails in excitement. I suppressed a squee as I reached down to ruffle their ears. Then I found myself grinning again when Oscar decided I had paid the toll and he hopped up on the couch to curl into Bek's lap. She was nothing but smiles as she stroked his fur.

  My smile faltered. Miss Mueller's family would be here tomorrow to take Oscar away, and it looked like Rebecca was bonding with the little sausage. It already looked like he had chosen her. I'd have to be the one to tell her.

  Jane took her arm off my shoulder and waved it airily saying, “Ok everyone, you've seen her. She's fine. Now shoo. She needs her rest, and we'll see most of you at the May family dinner this weekend.”

  Ok, my cheeks were burning as they all complained. Mom was on her side. “Come on everyone.

  You heard Jane. We can grill her Saturday.” She was up and clapping her hands, herding my friends and family like surly cats.

  They all said their goodbyes to me as I stayed on the loveseat, immobilized by the heat coming off of Jane beside me. Mom kissed my cheek and looked long into my eyes, doing that mom-scan thing that moms do, before she nodded once and smiled. “See you Saturday, baby girl.”

  She kissed my cheek then leaned over and actually kissed Jane's cheek too and said, “Take care of our girl. Don't let her logic her way out of bed rest.”

  The evil detective-y one just nodded and said with surety, “I won't let her weasel her way out of it.”

  When Rebecca stood, and Oscar hopped up to stand by her, I prompted, “Bek, why don't you take Oscar tonight. I think he may be sweet on you.”

  Gar looked at me like I had just betrayed him in some way as Rebecca beamed down at the dog and asked, “What about it cutie? Wanna overnight with auntie Bek?”

  She was smitten like a kitten, and it was cute to see the athletic rock climber all gooey over

  something other than my twin brother.

  Raife looked at me as he walked Polly to the door. “Glad to see you're ok Finnegan.”

  I hesitated a moment then replied, “Thanks, Rafiel... for everything. Jane told me what you did.”

  He waved me off. “Not a thing. I've got my crew on your clients until you're jailer here sets you free.” He gave me one of his winning smiles.

  Then I was all grins when Pollyanna rolled her eyes and started pushing the boy out the apartment with a hand on his back. “Stop flirting and get out walker boy.” She waved as he started complaining as they left. “Bye cuz! Love you lots!”

  I waved. Then Jess took one of my hands and made a show of kissing the back of it. “Fair lady, I must bid you adieu.” My heart fluttered as I blushed. Then she added, “Bye Five-O,” to Jane.

  Jane chuckled and kicked her butt as she tried to scramble
away, “Se ya Red. Lips to yourself.”

  Jess ignored her and just looped her arm in Mom's and led her to the door. “Winnie, allow me to walk you to your car.”

  I waved to them as they slipped out and closed the door, leaving Jane and Calvin alone with me.

  And I breathed a sigh of relief. Then furrowed my brow and looked at Jane with suspicion. “You chased everyone off.”

  She shrugged and pulled out her cell as she hugged me to her. I snuggled into her warmth as she said, “Well, you and I have a date with a pizza.” Then she added softly, “You looked overwhelmed.”

  I nodded. “Thanks.”

  Then I pulled back a moment, “A – date?”

  She smirked, “It's just a word, Fin.”

  Ok, she was playing with me now. She knew we had to talk about just what we were doing... what we were to each other. I muttered, “Fine.”

  She nodded once. “Fine.”

  I shoved her away from me weakly. “Fine!”

  Then she asked calmly as I watched her dial the pizzeria. “There, we've had your talk... happy now?”

  Oddly I was. I said in confusion, “Yeah.” Then I said firmly, “But I'm not easy... you're going to have to court my butt off.”

  She just nodded and kissed the top of my head and then ordered my favorite pizza. Calvin joined us, and I realized that for the first time since I went looking for Oscar's family, I was happy again.

  Then I asked as she hung up, “Is it just me, or is Jessie sort of flirting with me?” She growled at me and hugged me to her. I thought so too.

  I think that was the most, relaxing meal I had had in a long time. And I realized I felt content and also the anticipation and excitement of a new relationship. And I looked at Jane in wonder as I took in that this time, it was with a woman.

  She kept me smiling and laughing until it was dark. And then she decided to enforce the doctor's orders. I realized in resignation that there was no way I was getting out of it.

  It felt like a boyfriend was walking me to the door as she escorted me to my room and stopped at the doorway. She placed her forehead on mine, her breath hot on my face as I found myself fascinated with her lips when she whispered, “Night, Finny.”

  She stayed that way, our lips inches apart for five solid heartbeats then she was gone. Leaving a wall of want and frustration in her wake. Dear lord, was it possible to actually need someone like that?

  The jerk cop was a tease, and she knew exactly what she was doing.

  Five minutes later I was in bed, after calming my pulse. I must have laid there ten minutes in the dark, eyes wide in the silence. The only thing stopping me from feeling the cage constricting in on me again like a locker, was the weight of Calvin on my feet. I fought back a tear of anger, and I hated Suit and Brute for doing this to me, making me feel this way again.

  I got up out of bed, hugging a pillow to my middle as I padded across my room, Calvin in tow. I crossed through the bathroom and knocked on Jane's doorframe.

  I saw her look up from her bed and freeze, her eyes catching the streetlights of the city outside her window. There was concern in them as I stood there hugging my pillow.

  Without a word she exhaled and held her blanket up. I scurried over and slid into her bed, my back to her as she wrapped an arm around my waist and pulled me to her. Calvin jumped up on the bed and curled in at our feet.

  I could breathe again as her scent enveloped me, and all felt right in the world as, with Jane just being there, the demons were chased away. I knew then, that in time I would be just fine.

  Damn what a wonderful night. I think I was asleep before I finished the thought.

  Epilogue

  A certain raven-haired detective was calling out from the front, “Come on pipsqueak, we're going to be late to your community service.”

  I chuckled and came dashing out of my room in my black and white striped sundress with matching sun bonnet I bought for this occasion. I struck a pose in the doorway in my convict outfit and asked,

  “Prison chic enough?”

  Jane rolled her eyes and prompted, “Very umm... Finnegan of you.”

  I eyeballed her, trying to figure out if that was a slam or not. I wanted to mark the occasion properly, this was, after all, my court-ordered community service we were heading out to.

  My mind wandered to a couple months ago.

  It wasn't until I was cleared from bedrest and given a clean bill of health by Doc Robin that Jane had brought me down to the station, explaining there was something she had to do. I was all for it, she had taken care of me and put up with all my whining while I was confined to bed. I made a habit of joining her in her room each night, and she chased away the anxiety and nightmares. I was feeling more sure of myself again every day.

  What she failed to explain to me when she walked me over to central booking with a big grin on her face as she started reciting the Miranda Rights for some reason, was that she was finally getting her chance to arrest me. The brat.

  She was leading me somewhere else, instead of up to her office. I had cocked my head in confusion when she started in with the Miranda. We stopped at central booking where she smirked at me with amusement glittering in her eyes. “Do you understand these rights as I have read them, Finny?”

  Jane took Calvin's lead from me, held my hand by the fingertips like a princess, and handed me over to Officer Melendez who was nothing but grins himself as he placed my hand in the crook of his arm and led me in front of the booking camera. He gave me a placard to hold up. I asked with narrowed eyes, “What's going on here, Detective.” I stressed her title.

  Was this a joke?

  She looked ready to break into a huge smile as she shrugged. “Michael Papadopulos is insisting on pressing battery charges against you for stomping his foot while in custody. He's a real piece of work.”

  I shuddered at Suit's name, it brought my anxiety to the forefront. I was especially going to be anxious when his and Brute's trials came up. Both the murder and the kidnapping trials were going to be handled separately. Why does this sort of thing keep happening to me?

  Lil' Bernie had rolled on Vincent Rosso, surrendering Oscar's collar to the authorities, swearing he had no idea it was stolen merchandise. It was when he was told it was obtained in a murder, he had voluntarily supplied where certain unnamed sources had shared where Vin was lying low until the heat died down. Vin cut a deal and was a wealth of information on the various robberies he and Karl had done for Michael who had a list of wealthy clients from Sausage Breeders. The slippery Vin got off virtually scot free.

  I looked at Jane incredulously, then the smiling uniformed officer as he asked me quite politely to

  “Please turn to the right and hold up the placard.”

  I grumped as the flash went off, “Why is this so funny to you people?”

  Jane said as she took me by the hand again and led me to the electronic fingerprint scanner,

  “Because I finally got to arrest your cute little criminal butt.” She looked back to admire my butt as she bit her lower lip.

  Grrr... she wasn't allowed to be all cute and sexy when she was throwing me in the clinker. I muttered, “Eyes front sailor. You get none of my butt because you're being a jerk cop right now.”

  Wait, was that why she had picked that morning to have a steamy make-out session with me in the kitchen? Because she was planning this? I almost sighed at the memory, and the sexual frustration when she stopped. I had just about dropped my panties right there in the kitchen.

  After I was booked, she informed me that a deal had been worked out with the DA, and I was to be released into her custody until my hearing that morning. I had complained, “But I gotta walk my...”

  She interrupted. “Raife is handling them one last day. Polly threatened him with great bodily harm if he refused.”

  That almost made me grin. They had started dating, and it was clear that as Alpha male as Rafiel was, my cousin was Alpha-er.

  Shut up, it's
a word, I just said it didn't I? Just like Sir Quinton Quinn and Xavier Xen.

  It was so cute when Polly had dropped by our place the day after I got home and asked if it would be ok if she asked Raife out. Like she needed permission? I was worried for just a moment but then realized that he wouldn't dare cheat on her or she'd steamroll him... probably two seconds before I did.

  I texted him that exact warning too. Nobody messes with my family.

  He seemed so awkward around her. I've never seen him awkward before. Maybe because she was an older woman. A frazzled and cute as hell older woman in a sweater.

  I smiled at the memory then got back on topic. “What deal?”

  She laced our fingers, and I let her, against my own better judgment. But I could do worse than being arrested by the poster girl for Bad Girls Monthly.

  On a side note, Jane has my mugshots framed on her nightstand beside of her bed now.

  When we arrived at the courthouse, I was surprised at how crowded the courtroom was, and even more surprised when I realized that I recognized most of the people there as fellow dog walkers.

  When my case came up, the spectators cheered like we were at a ballgame. Then the judge held his gavel up, ready to strike it, and that made my umm... fans? Settle down.

  Then he had cocked his eyebrow as he reviewed the case file the bailiff gave him, and gave a look at the DA and prompted, “You're really pressing misdemeanor battery charges against the victim of a violent kidnapping?”

  The DA looked embarrassed and shrugged. “The, umm... battery victim, insisted upon it.”

  A discordant murmur rolled through the court.

  The judge looked at us and addressed me directly, “Miss Finnegan Temperance May, you stand accused of misdemeanor battery of Michael Theodore Papadopulos. Of...” He set the paperwork down and cocked an eyebrow. “... of stomping his toe while helpless and restrained in police custody and...”

  A chuckle ran through the crowd at that.

  He sighed and finished, “...causing him great mental distress. How do you plead?”

  I growled and opened my mouth to tell him just exactly what I would have done to the man if I had my way, but Jane bumped my hip, shot me a warning look, and provided, “She pleads guilty your honor.”