by BL Burke
“Did what?” Kate said. “What the hell is going on!”
Cindy shook her head, “He’s under the impression that James kidnapped someone.”
“Multiple someone’s actually, and forced them to fight to the death.” Marshall said looking at his phone. It was Perry. Marshall started to text back.
“Wow,” Kate said, “that’s a big accusation,” Marshall started ‘he’s here,’ James didn’t move, didn’t deny it, didn’t show any remorse.
“No proof,” Cindy said, “and we sort of need proof to prosecute.”
“I just… I’d like to get the full story.” Marshall said, “How that happened to you.” He pointed at James’s arm.
“That’s huge, if a detective broke that it’d be a career booster.” Kate said.
“Why do you need to know?” James said.
“To put the pieces together, why you accuse my partner of killing your dog.”
“Because he did it and that evil bastard Eddie stomped on my elbow.” James quickly lifted his glass of orange juice and took a drink. Marshall didn’t move, he was watching James get worked up. Anger boiling in the orange juice induced tirade.
“Lost my best friend and my future. The worst day of my life…, fine.” His speech slurred slightly.
“James, you don’t have to.” Cindy said grabbing his arm.
Chapter 45
It took a lot to look the whole defense in the eye, they were bigger, stronger and faster. A cover two with the corner ready to blitz. It all came down to this. Not a touchdown, no need for glory. Just a first down. He checked the clock, thirty five seconds and counting. Leroy was behind him, his fingers were moving like he was playing the piano.
“Blue ten.” James called out. They knew the play, the audible. He glanced at the receiver, He nodded.
“Hut hut,” the ball snapped into his hands and James took two steps back. The blitz came from his blind side… but he knew it. Leroy tried the block, but the kid, jumped it and was rearing to smack James like a crying baby.
He saw Leroy miss the block, but he was wide open. James pulled the ball down and covered. With a quick spin to his right the corner missed. He was free to throw it to Leroy.
A second blitzer came. James felt his right arm get caught… just at the elbow, his shoulder fighting it. James switched the ball to his left. He spun and saw Leroy open twenty feet from him. James was off balance, spinning, he tossed it as he fell back.
The division rested on this, everything he’d worked for, killing himself for. They were going to win. James knew it.
He flipped his head to look he saw the horror, a linebacker saw the play and moved in. Leroy was off balance when he leapt and the linebacker barreled into him and intercepted the ball in midair as he collided with Leroy. James heard the grunt of pain and a loud pop, he wasn’t sure from where.
The linebacker came down, the ball in his hands and ran. There was nothing James could do but watch as the awkward kid ran the length of the field, selflessly kneeling the one-yard line. Game over.
The next few hours were blurs of what could’ve been, some of his teammates glared, while others gave him the sad good game.
“That’s what we get with a damn sophomore,” one of the said, “if Cal would’ve started it would’ve been a sure thing.” It was crap, James told himself. Cal cared more about girls then the team.
James felt the cold chill of the ice he put on his shoulder. There would be no celebration for him. ‘I’ll be better’ he told himself. No parties, no drinking … despite it being a new aspect of his life. He wanted to be the best. He was going to prove them all wrong. They put up thirty-one points, beaten by a senior on his way to Michigan by one.
“Toughen up,” his coach yelled from the front of the locker room. “You pansies wouldn’t make it through the first quarter when I played.” The old man stood over them like a drill sergeant. Eyes were angry, but no one expected them to get this far.
James quietly escaped down the quiet side. Ignoring the glum friends that he’d made in the meteoric rise he’d just fallen back down.
“Hey kid,” Cindy said when he pushed open the door into the crisp autumn air. She gracefully pushed off a wire fence and glided to him. “How you feeling?” She gave him a side hug and a big smile. In the car, she tried to cheer him up, “great game… didn’t know you were that good.”
“I wasn’t.” James said. He sucked down a Gatorade staring at the taillights of the car in front of him.
“Mom or dad?” James asked.
“They had one of dad’s work things to go to.” Cindy said without any real conviction in her voice.
James shrugged, Better they left him alone. He could almost hear the old man convincing himself not to go. ‘It’ll be boring, how about some drinks on Water.’ His mom wouldn’t fight it either.
They pulled into the shallow driveway. James grabbed the screen and felt a slight burn in his shoulder, nothing some Icyhot couldn’t handle. Cindy opened the front door. Shadow jumped up and got him in the face. His wet tongue lashed out and took in James’ sweat. Instantly he felt better.
“Somebody missed you,” Cindy said. If it wasn’t for Shadow, there would be no reception. He wrapped his arms around him and kissed him on the head.
“Sorry boy, I couldn’t bring you.”
“He was fine, I’m sure,”
“Have you checked my room?” James said.
“Have you checked mine?”
“I don’t want to know about your boyfriends,”
“Or your girlfriends.” She smacked him lightly on his hurt shoulder. He held it in.
James smiled. She was a bit like a warm mug of cocoa on a snow day. But the house seemed empty again, even with her there. There hadn’t been a lot of joy in years. James glanced at the made for a magazine living room he wasn’t allowed in. Only two more years. But tonight, he couldn’t be here. Cindy pushed open the kitchen door and flipped on the lights.
“Want me to make you something before I head out?” Cindy said.
“Where you going?”
“Meeting up with some high school friends,” she said. Shadow looked up at him, his mouth partly open in a smile, he seemed to know what James was thinking.
“Nah… I’m going for a run,” James said, he needed to think, running with Shadow always did that. Next year, more scouts, more pressure. The possibility that he could actually go to college on a scholarship was thrown out there.
“Be careful,” Cindy said as she went into the kitchen.
“Always am,” he said.
-----
A second wind came to him when he opened the Jeep door. He stopped just outside of the park entrance. It was closed… but that wouldn’t stop him. A brisk wind from the lake punched through his running pants and sweatshirt. Trees blew, rattling the few remaining leaves to the ground.
Shadow pulled him through the dirt path to the concrete one. He knew it well. He could only hear the whistle of the trees and his footsteps as they started into the forest. Between the large pines and oaks, they ran toward the pond. The glowing orange lights stood stoically in a haze every ten yards lighting the way for them.
He glanced over to the reflection of the moon on the last small circle of unfrozen water. His eyes were struck by a little leap from the center of it. A fish or something came out for an instant then dived back in. A breath of fresh air from the cold life.
James started to feel the sweat drip down his forehead, his legs ached as he ran. They continued ahead. It stayed flat and open around the oval pond. The diversion up to the statue was harder, an incline about fifteen degrees. It was also skinnier and lined with the more trees.
James was sore, it’d be nice for an easy run… but he needed to get better, stronger more endurance. Somewhere he heard ‘no’ inside his head. James flipped it from his mind and took the hill on. Shadow started to pant and slow down. His tongue was out to the side but his eyes were still excited.
Something m
ade a sharp snap in the woods to his left. He shot his eyes but couldn’t see past the undergrowth. He heard talking, whispering… like a ghost in the forest. James slowed to a walk. He strained his eyes to look. No one was there. His brain said turn and go back. But James shook it off. Shadow was looking staring in that direction, his eyes were alert.
A gust of cool wind broke through the trees, he heard another snap. He was just about at the statue, he tried to peer around the base. Nothing was there. Do the quick circle and go back. The snapping could be a tree or something. His heart was racing, but he didn’t know if it was from the running… or the unknown.
It was too fast for him to know what happened, two… maybe three men jumped out of the woods at him. One bellowed out a war cry.
Something hard hit him in the back. Shadow barked. He felt something hit his leg and James stumbled. Shadow tugged at the leash, his hand let go. James regained a semblance of balance and looked at two big guys, older than him, but not by much. His eyes caught each, one with a horrified look, the other was filled with rage… or joy.
A third was on the ground screaming with Shadow on top of him, biting at his arm. The crazy-eyed guy came after James swinging an overhead strike like a hammer coming down on a nail. James was shocked, he’d never been in a fight. James stepped back, then his football instincts kicked in. James spun away.
He saw the scared man trying to get Shadow off the skinny guy.
“Skitter?” the scared man yelled.
“Dog got my arm.” He yelled from the ground.
“Get that dog off him,” the crazy one yelled as he looked again to punch James.
The scared kid started to pull at Shadow’s hips. Shadow released and snapped at him.
James felt the next punch to the side of his head and went down. The crown of his head hit the frozen pavement with a thud. James tried to move but felt a strong kick to his lower back. The pain erupted through his body.
“Eddie stop,” James heard someone yell. Then a bark and Eddie stopped. James looked up to see Shadow leaping at his attacker and grabbing him with his teeth around the leg. He let go and lunged toward Eddie’s throat. Shadow was going for the kill.
A dark black object fell out of Eddie’s back and skidded down the pavement. James pulled himself up and watched it stop at the edge of the forest. He saw Skitter moving toward him. He tried to punch, James sidestepped and wobbly through a wayward punch. It hit Skitter who fell.
“Ahhhh,” Eddie yelled. The scared guy started to go for the black thing, James didn’t know what it was… then it hit him, a gun. He ran passed James without trying to fight.
The scared guy picked up the gun. James leaped toward him diving for it. They both crashed into a bush. The scared guy was fast, he elbowed James in the temple. Everything went black for a second, then he was back. The scared guy wasn’t anymore. He lifted the gun towards Eddie and Shadow. James reached up and grabbed the guy’s leg. He kicked it off and aimed.
The shot echoed through the park like the first shot of the revolution. Shadow howled.
“Shot him,” Eddie yelled throwing Shadow off him with ease and pointing at James.
“No…” James tried to yell, he couldn’t move. Ten feet from him was the collapsed body of his best friend. His loving eyes wide open staring back at James asking why he didn’t stop that, “Shad...”
“Fucking dog,” Eddie said getting up, “fuck him.” Eddie kicked Shadow’s body but no sound of pain came out.
“Let’s get out of here,” the scared guy said.
“I said shoot him Perry.” James didn’t care, he gritted his teeth. He kept his eyes on Shadow, they started to blur.
“I ain’t shooting no one.” Perry yelled.
Eddie stood up, James could barely see as Eddie moved toward him, his body blocking the light. James felt the kick in his stomach. “Dumb ass cracker,” Eddie yelled. James didn’t move, he felt another one, but it was duller.
“Eddie come on,” someone of them said.
A foot came down onto his elbow. The crunch of bone was felt and heard into his mind. James tried to yell out as the pain flew through his arm.
-----
“Don’t remember anything till the hospital,” James said and took another drink of the screwdriver. He saw Shadow’s eyes every time he closed his own. Shadow’s pain, his heroics, his sacrifice all for James. “Not who found me, how I got there. I was either too delirious or I just blocked it out… but I can’t block out what they did to Shadow. I won’t block that out.”
“Jesus,” Marshall said softly.
Someone sniffled, James kept his eyes down, staring at his mashed-up omelet. “I was a weak kid before Shadow, I grew up, stronger just by being with him… running, playing fetch. I’m that weak little kid again.”
“You don’t have to, have this anger. I can see it… like a death wish.” Marshall said.
“If it wasn’t for him… I’d never played… because of the damn two-a-days… I didn’t see him as much.” James said. “It isn’t anger… detective.” He looked Kate in her beautiful green eyes, they were trying to comfort him, help him. James gave a smile as best as he could.
“You have people who care about you James,” Cindy said. Kate nodded. “I know you… you’ve been so closed off.”
“I know,” James said. They were right, he needed to quit. With Renee gone… was there an option? There was no happy ending for him if he continued. End it. He could almost feel Shadow’s spirit, it was peaceful. James smiled. What of the last two contestants? Have to get rid of them. There was no happy ending releasing them into the wild either.
“So what happened,” Kate said.
“I saw Eddie when I testified against him he got six months, Skitter too. Your partner disappeared into the army.” James looked at down at his right arm. “Me I got a botched reconstructive surgery on my elbow and a large settlement.”
“Which he used to fund the rescue.” Cindy said.
“That’s why?” Kate said, “it kicks out.” James nodded.
“Bad setting and screw.” Cindy said.
“Now you know my story,” James said, he couldn’t sit around reminiscing anymore. Dogs needed help. The ‘Gate’ finally needed a washing. “I gotta go,”
“I’ll walk you out,” Kate said grabbing his hand. It was soft and warm. James hugged Cindy, Marshall held his hand a little long, still looking in James eyes. James couldn’t tell what the man was thinking.
On the sidewalk Kate reached up and wiped her face. Then putting her arms around him she pulled him close. He could feel her warm body as she pressed her soft lips to his. “You want to… grab a drink or something?” Kate said coming for air.
“Yeah…”
Brake pads squealed around him. A scream, a war cry. He didn’t know from who and he was hit in the head. Kate yelled and fell to the ground.
He wanted to fight, he couldn’t. His breath was expelled as a huge mitt of a hand clamped his throat and a fist hit his stomach.
“Now, you get yours,” a raspy voice said. A bag flew over James’ head. He felt himself being lifted from the ground and for a moment, he was weightless as he was thrown. James landed against something hard, the world disappeared.
Chapter 46
“What the hell drop that!” Perry said. This isn’t the plan. He pulled his Ruger and pointed it at Harlan’s fathead. “Put that down now, no killing her.”
“He took ours, we take his.” Harlan said. His eyes beneath the ski mask were intense like a snake about to strike.
Perry pulled back the hammer. “You have two seconds… one… two,” Harlan lowered his gun with a weak sigh.
“Man… you crazy,” Harlan said. Carlito, seemed dumbfounded.
Perry jumped in the passenger seat next to Darius. Carlito and Harlan crushed themselves in the backseat. A thud. Looking over his shoulder he saw Harlan raising his arm. The car took off leaving his new world shocked, courtesy of his old one.
“Tha
t’s for Kieron,” Harlan said and hit him again, “and for Skitter,”
“Stop.” Perry said. He squeezed the gun handle so hard he felt his fingers turn to needles. “We need him awake… and lucid.” A woman with a stroller pushed her baby behind a car and ducked.
“What does lucid mean?” Harlan said as they took a corner onto Kinnickinnic and into the south side. Perry was liable to put a bullet in his head or James’s before they had any answers. He cracked the knuckles on his empty hand.
“We going the wrong way?” Carlito said.
“Nah, just taking a detour to throw off the pigs.” Darius said, he glanced at Perry. “I got a place, nice and quiet.” Perry swallowed.
Darius hit a corner fast, Perry felt his weight push him into the door. Carlito grunted. Taking the ramp they hit cruising speed on the freeway. Perry pulled off his mask and looked down at it.
What would Sadie and Charlene think. On their way back into town, not expecting this, not expecting him to be losing it. Perry shook his head. Darius glanced in the rear view, his eye twitched. Something about him made Perry nervous as they went back skirting downtown and heading out west. The car was quiet until the took the spur and exited on Lisbon Avenue.
“There’s a cop shop out here.” Carlito said.
“Force him down,” Darius said. Perry heard a mean thud. He didn’t want to look back.
“You be quiet, or I’ll kill you.” Harlan said at almost a whisper. The guy was going crazy. They rode carefully following the road north west. A police station appeared on the left. He cracked his fingers, an APB could already be out. He knew a few officers that worked there, good guys none he’d want to hurt and being stopped would mean a shootout. Perry gripped his gun. The station got closer, two cruisers idled outside. Three uniforms around one. He didn’t recognize any of them. His heart beat loud enough for the whole car to hear.
He heard the tick tack of the blinker and seconds later they were out of sight. Almost instantly they turned into a small weed strewn drive. The building in front of them looked old and had windows boarded with white brick chips were decorating overgrown bushes like snow.
